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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
• 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.
• 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.
  • +447045711282 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
• 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.
  • gracelandintl020@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: infofile045@comcast.net (GraceLand Int'l)
Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:07:13 +0000
Subject: Searching For Representatives



--
GRACELAND INT'L EXPORTS
50 Redcliffe Square,
SW10 9 HQ London, UK.

Dear Friend,

Good day to you. My name is Ted Brown and I own the above
named Company based in the UK. We manufacture, supply and
export Pharmaceutics, Agricultural, Textile, Chemical and
Engineering Products for world trade.

We are searching for representatives who can help us
establish a medium of getting to our customers in Canada
and America as well as making payments through them
as payment officers.

Note that all payments would be credited directly into
your account via electronic transfer and Checks.

Contact:

Mr. Richard Harrison
Email: gracelandintl020@hotmail.com
Tel: +44 7045711282

Please also let us know the best time to reach you on phone,
as we have, difference in time.

Thanks for your understanding and co-operation.

Yours Respectfully,
Mr. Maxwell David(ADT Manager)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam