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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
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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)
  • "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 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.
  • johnmike_js2007@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Tayo Jacobs" <tayo.jacobs@btconnect.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2007 14:07:51 +0100
Subject: Get back to me as soon as you confirm the Draft

 

Dear Friend,
 
I did not forgot your past effort by trying to help me on this transaction, now I want to tell you that I have succeeded in getting those funds transferred
under the co-operation of Engr Smiths  Wasserman from Germany.
 
Contact my secretary in Benin Republic because I have left a cashier worth of $950.000.00 and instructed him to send it to you so contact him
immediately and  instruct him where to send the $950,000.00 with out any further delay for your compensation.
 
Below is the contact information of my secretary:
NAME; John Mike
EMAIL: johnmike_js2007@yahoo.co.uk
Address Akpakpa Benin Republic.
 
N:B-BELOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS YOU WILL SEND TO  MY SECRETARY AS I AM NOT SURE IF YOU ARE STILL AT
 
YOUR PREVIOUS ADDRESS:-................................
(1) YOUR KNOWN NAME.......................................
(2) YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS.....................................
(3) YOUR DIRECT CELPHONE NUMBER AND HOUSE PHONE WITH FAX IF ANY..........................................................
 
In this moment, I'm very busy here in Germany because of the investment  projects, which the new partner and I are having at hand. So feel free
to get in touch with Mr. John Mike to send the cheque to you without any delay.
 
Regards
Mr Tayo Jacobs

 

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam