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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "insurance fee " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Linda Eke <lindaeke3@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <lindaeke@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:37:05 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY.



Dear Friend,
Greeting to you and your good Family.
I have been waiting for you since to contact me for your Confirmable Bank Draft of ($315.810.00) THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTHEEN THOUNSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND TEN United States Dollars, but I did not hear From you since that time, then I went and deposited the Draft with Global Security & Express Courier Company in Lagos-Nigeria before I travelled out of the country for a short Course and will not come back till end of November.
You should contact the Global Express Courier & Security Company as soon as possible to know when they will deliver your package to you because of the expiring date. Be informed that I have paid for the delivering Charges, Insurance Fee and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money nor to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country,
The only money you will send to the Courier & Security Company to Deliver your Draft direct to your postal Address in your country is ($230) TWO HUNDRED & THIRTY UNITED STATE DOLLARS ONLY, being their Security Keeping Fee.Again, don’t be deceived by any individual to pay more money except $230.00, Which I would have paid but they said no because they don't know when you Will contact them and in case of demurrage.
Finally, make sure that you reconfirm your Postal address and Direct Telephone number to them again to avoid any mistake on the Delivery And ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your Package over there and know when it will get to your address.
Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this Mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security keeping fee of $230 for their immediate action. You should also Let me know through email as soon as you receive your Draft.Here is the company's address; globalexpress@pc.nu
Yours Faithfully,Mrs Linda Eke
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam