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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • orjiemeka99@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: john woodhouse <esq_johnwoodhouse_esq@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <esq_johnwoodhouse_esq@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2007 04:18:49 -0400
Subject: THANKS FOR YOUR PAST EFFORT....



Dear Friend,
Hope you are doing good with your family today.It is my pleasure to let you know about my successin getting those funds transferred under the cooperationof a new partner from Greece. I didn't forget your pastefforts to assist me in transferring those funds.
Now contact my secretary Mr. Orji Emeka. His email is(orjiemeka99@yahoo.it) Ask him to release to you thetotal US$650,000.00 certified bank draft which i raisedfor your compensation. So feel free and get in touch withhim because i have instructed him.
I'm very busy here with investment projects which i amhaving at hand with my new partner. Let me know immediatelyyou receive your draft check.
Do not forget to reconfirm the following information to my secretary, for his reference:
1. Full Name....
2. Private Telephone Number....
3. Mailing Address....
Thank you in anticipation for your past efforts.
Best regards,Mr. Solomon Dyke, M.D.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam