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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:

• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447045735084 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: john mikel <johnson_mikel5@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: <mrbensealcole07@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:15:16 +0000
Subject: NOTIFICATION FROM WORLD DEBT RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE,UK



From: MR. BEN SEAL COLE Director World Debt Reconciliation Committee +44 704 573 5084.
We are pleased to inform you that We are World Debt Reconciliation Committee newly set up by The International Bank For Reconstruction And Development(WORLD BANK) And the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Based on series of petition we received from International Bodies such as Cooperate Bodies and Non Governmental Organization (NGO) on the Inability of some Government of different countries in the World, Commercial banks and World Lottery Organization to settle their clients Contract debt, Inheritance Fund and Winning prize fund.
After an extensive close door meeting between the Board of Directors WORLD BANK AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND), It was resolved and agreed upon that these body WORLD DEBT RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE will work extensively to ensure that your Contract Payment, Your Inheritance and Lottery Winning prize fund will be paid without delay through the World Bank and IMF Insurance body.
1. You are strictly advised to inform us as your Agent on any of the above mentioned Debt you are involved any where in the world. The contract Amount and Country which the contract was executed.
2. The Bank name and location where your Inheritance Fund are tied up and amount due to you.
3. Your Winning Prize lottery Company and the amount won.Note that on receipt of your complain and list of debt due for payment, Your Fund will be called back from its various point where it has been tied up by World Bank and IMF and your payment will be arrange and effected based on your choice of payment.
Urgently furnish this Office with your Name and contact information to enable us open up communication with you regarding the remittance of your payment.
ThanksYours Faithfully.MR. BEN SEAL Cole+44 704 573 5084.NOTIFICATION FROM WORLD DEBT RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE,UK
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam