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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:

• 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)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • anthonychidi56@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Charles Agu <charlesagu13@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:45:48 +0100
Subject: CONTACT MR ANTHONY FOR YOUR COMPENSATION



Dear Friend,
Compliments of the day. It is my pleasure to reach you after our unsuccessful attempt on our business transaction. Well, I just want to use this medium to thank you very much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the funds, without any positive outcome.

I am happy to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds with the help of a new partner from South America Mr. Rolando Alford Kitty. Everything was perfectly done because we struck a deal with a lady accountant who works with the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), and she rendered a tremendous help to us. My new partner initiated this idea and everything worked out successfully. In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the funds, I have decided to compensate you with the sum of $1,200.000.00(One million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) through Cashier's cheque. This is from my own share. I did this simply to show appreciation to you for your kind support and assistance even though we could not succeed due to some unforseen circumstances and reason but it has been a gate way to my eventual success. Presently, I am in South Korea for investment project with my own share under the advice of my partner. Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring this funds despite the fact that we could not succeed. I will be sending you e-mail from time to time to know if you have received your share or not. In the light of the above, you are therefore, to contact my personal assistant Mr.Anthony Chidi on his e-mail address and do send him your contact address where you want the cheque to be sent to you. Mr.Anthony Chidi anthonychidi56@myway.com

Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the happiness together after all the suffering at that time. In the moment, I am very busy here in capital city of South Korea because of the investment projects, which the new partner and I are having at hand. So feel free to get in touch with him to send the cheque to you without any delay. With My Best Regards,

Charles O. Agu
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam