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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "money orders " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "money order " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • tomaldridge1969@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: tom aldridge <tom-aldridge-10@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:21:12 +0100
Subject: COMPANY NEEDS REPRESENTATIVE




Dear Sir/Madam ,
My name is Tom Aldridge,born and raised in hawaii. I am a self-taught artist,artist agent and gallerry owner.I own ALDRIDGE ART WORLD in Johannesburg(South Africa)I live in Johannesburg,South Africa with my two kids, four cats, one dog and the love of my life, my lovely wife, Kate Aldridge .
It is definitely a full house, I have been doing artwork since I was a small child That gives me about 23 years of experience I majored in art in high school and took a few college art courses Most of my work is done in either pencil or art brush mixed with color pencils.
I have recently added designing and creating artwork on the computer, I have been selling my art for the last 3 years and have had my work featured on trading cards, prints and in magazines, I have sold in galleries and to private collectors from all around the world.
I am always facing serious difficulties when it comes to selling my art works to Americans, they are always offering to pay with MONEY ORDER OR CASHER'S CHEQUE, which is difficult for me to cash here in Johannesburg,South Africa.
I am looking for a representative in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA or CANADA who will be working for me as a part-time worker and i will be willing to pay 10% for every transaction, which wouldn’t affect your present state of work, someone who would help me receive payments from my customers in the states, I mean someone that is responsible and reliable, because the cost of coming to the state and getting payments is very expensive, I am working on setting up a branch in the state, so for now i need a representative in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA who will be handling the payment aspect for my company.
These payments are in MONEY ORDERS OR CASHER'S CHEQUE and they would come to you in your name if you are willing to assist as a representative, so all you need do is cash the money order deduct your percentage and WESTERN UNION Charges then wire the rest back.
But the problem i have is trust, i have made arrangement with the FBI in Washington,that if anybody gets away with my money they will definately get hold with the person,and the person will go to JAIL for LOOTING my funds.
You are to receive the MONEY ORDERS OR CASHER'S CHEQUE PAYMENT which will be sent to you by FEDEX or UPS from my business partners, which would come in form of a MONEY ORDER OR CASHER'S CHEQUE then you are to take it to your bank to enable you cash it and send the money cashed from the MONEY ORDERS OR CASHER'S CHEQUE to me via MONEY GRAM.
NOTE: All charges of the MONEY TRANSFER will be deducted from the money, so you are rest assured that you wouldn’t spend a dime out of your personal money.
If you are interested, please get back to me as soon as possible via email.
N: B, Please send to me the listed information below:
#Your full name:
#Your full home address,(pls no P.O.BOXES)
#direct contact telephone number,(HOME AND OFFICE)
I will be needing your home address, so that I will send the MONEY ORDERS to you via FedEx or overnight shipment.
PLEASE REPLY TO ME THROUGH THIS MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADRESS: tomaldridge1969@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks for your assistant and God bless,
TOM ALDRIDGE
Director of ALDRIDGE ART WORLD INC,
Johannesburg, South Africa.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam