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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:

• 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:
  • "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.
  • nic.luck@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Sirbu Elechi <sirbuelechi@orange.nl>
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:18:11 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Call my secretary for your compensation


My Good Friend,
I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from paraguay.Presently i'm in Paraguay for investment projects,i did not forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring the funds.
Now contact my secretary in Republic of Benin, his name is Mr. Nic Luck,through this e-mail address (nic.luck@yahoo.com) or call him on 229 93 148000 and ask him to send you the total of $800.000.00 casher cheque,which i kept for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter.
I appreciated your efforts at that time very much.So feel free and get intouched with my secretary Mr.Nic Luck,l and instruct him where to send the amount to you.Remember that I had forwarded instruction to my secretary on your behalf to receive that money, so feel free to get intouch with him Mr. Nic Luck, he will send your cheque to you without any delay.
Call my secretary for your compensation and Do not forget to furnish him with your information
1.YOUR FULL NAMES.........
2.YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS.........
3.YOUR PHONE NUMBER........

I remain your bosom friend.
Regards,
Dr.Sirbu Elechi.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam