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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.

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:
  • "million us 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)
  • "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +447045746629 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: DONALD G.McKLEAN <dmgorg78@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dmgorg78@googlemail.com
Date: 17 Feb 2008 12:41:34 -0000
Subject: INVESTMENT

Content-Type: text/plain

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit




Good day,



I write to you based on a request by an investor and his need for investment/funds transfer.



My name is Donald Mcklean. a Financial Consultant based in London. My company most times represents the interests of very wealthyInvestors/Individuals due to the sensitivity of the position they hold in the society and the unstable investment environment of their country, they evacuate majority of their funds into more stable economies and developed nations where they can get good yield for their money.



I was recently approached by a Reserved Client of my late father, whom my father had personally worked with few years ago when he was a Minister and wants me to source for a reliable and trustworthy individual such as yourself, who will be willing to receive money on

his behalf abroad, and at the same time advise on what form of investment that will be embarked with the funds when perfectly received.



The client has offered these terms:



1. 25% commission paid to you upon receipt of the funds through the original sum to be transferred. The funds in question are $45.3Million US Dollars.



2. Your details will be used to have the funds evacuated and you will stand as the principle owner of the funds and will deal directly with the Remittance Bank without the involvement of the Investor.





If these terms are agreeable to you, kindly let me know and I will provide you with all necessary information and procedures involved.





Sincerely yours,





Donald Mcklean

Direct Tel: +447045746629.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam