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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:
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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic delivery"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: yengeni_01@mchsi.com (Kevin Gideon kerkula)
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2007 01:36:09 +0000
Subject: Soliciting Your Assistance(Urgent Responses)

Dear Friend,

I am Kevin Gideon kerkula from liberia and I am contacting you in regards to
my consignment which is right now with a senior United nations high commission
diplomatic delivery man.These boxes contains (20million USD) which i want you
to assist me to receive in your country.It left the custody of a renowned
security company called Ghana Shipping Council a courier service under United
Nations in Accra Ghana.

I want to inform you that this consignment has been in your country for 2 days
now.
I have already paid the sum of $6,500 for the handlng charges and for
everything So all you need to do is for you to call the diplomat immediately
so he can make delivery to you.I am offering 20% of the total sum to you for
any assistance rendered.

The name and the number of the diplomatic delivery man in charge of the
delivery of my consignment will be sent to you as soon as i hear your
response.Also send your telephone number and full delivery address to me
immediately so that i can send it to the company for them to pass unto the
delivery man to effect the delivery to you.

I wait to hear from you with all your contact information.So that i can send
you all the documents guiding this consignment.

Best Regards,
Kevin Gideon kerkula

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam