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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.

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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)
  • "deadline" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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. )
  • "cheques " (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.
• MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: Mr David Blackwood <mrdavidblackwoo20@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <davidblackwoo7@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:02:46 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend



Dear Friend,My name is David Blackwood.I am a freelance researcher.I would be very interested in offering you a part-time paying job in which you could earn alot.I just resigned my job as a research scientist for JS INTEGRATIONS but i still work as a freelance consultant for the instistute which gives me very much time to do my own work which is basically being a freelance researcher who could be employed by research institutes to do research projects anywhere in the world.WHAT YOU NEED TO DO FOR US:Presently, I have just been granted a funding to head a research project in the tropical regions of West Africa regarding rare and vulnerable plant species and this would be commencing very soon, However my fundings were by my American counterparts which sent me the bunch of payments mostly in US based money orders and Certified Cashiers Cheques. Getting an accountant in the states or opening an account would have been my best choice but I have a deadline to meet and taking any of those choices would cost me time and a whole lot of other requirements I am not ready to deal with, as I would be traveling a lot in the meantime.So presently, assuming you would be able to deal with cash, I would be willing to employ you on contract basis to be my payment representative back in the states, this way I could issue and make these money orders out to you or cashiers cheques, you could then cash them easily, withdraw 10% of the total amount on these Payments as your commission and then send the rest back to me through Western Union wire transfer/Money Gram Transfer.JOB DESCRIPTION?1. Recieve payment from Clients2. Cash Payments at your Bank3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/per on Payment processed. 4. Forward balance afer deduction of percentage/pay to any of the offices you will be contacted to send paymentto(Payment is to forwarded by Western Union Money Transfer OR Money Gram).HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?10% from each operation! For instance: you receive 7000 USD via cheques or money orders on our behalf. You will cash the money and keep $700 (10% from $7000) for yourself! At the beginning your commission will equal 10%, though later it will increase up to 12%!ADVANTAGES:You do not have to go out as you will work as an independent contractor right from your home office. Your job is absolutely legal. You can earn up to $3000-4000 monthly depending on time you will spend for this job. You do not need any capital to start. The employees who make efforts and work hard have a strong possibility to become managers. Anyway our employeesnever leave us.MAIN REQUIREMENTS:18 years or olderLegally capableResponsibleReady to work 3-4 hours per week.with PC knowledgeE-mail and internet experience (minimal)And please know that Everything is absolutely legal, that's why You have to fill a contract!I would be glad if you accept my offer and I intend to commence on the job as soon as you are ready send you an Applicayion form to fill out. If you are interested, email me back at: so we can make concluding arrangements.Please note when replying fill the form below:Full Name:Full Address:City, State, Zipcode:(not p.o.box):Phone Number(s):Home & cell Phone NumberAge:Sex:Current job:Email:REPLY TO THIS EMAIL ...................................Thanks for your anticipated action.And i hope to hear back from you.JS INTEGRATIONSMr David Blackwood189 JOWL ROADOxfords streetLondonUnited Kingdom

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam