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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• 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.
  • +447006035545 (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.
  • jamesmanny@sify.com

Fraud email example:

From: "manny james" <jamesmanny6@mailbox.hu>
Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 09:22:16 -0700
Subject: ATM CARD


Attn:The beneficiary,

I am Mr. James Manny, from Citi Bank Group London, This is to bring to your
notice that my office has taking over all the money Transaction originated
from any part of African and Europe countries as Contract payment,
Fund Inheritance or Lottery Winning due to Unauthorized/incapability of
financial Institutions/security companies in releasing such huge sum of
money due to Fraud, terrorist and money laundry activities going on
worldwide.
The World Bank Group has Mandated the Citi Bank Group London via my office
to release funds to beneficiaries through ATM CARD,
Hence Your Name appears as one of the fund beneficiaries whom their fund was
Successfully cleared recently from Terrorist and Money laundry and your
money will be released to you ATM CARD,
that will be cashable from any International Bank in your country been the
only way you would receive your money to avoid paying excess charges, As
regard to this arrangement,
you are advised to get back to me (telex director) through Tel/fax no:
+447006035545 or my email address (jamesmanny@sify.com) but it is better by
fax.

You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers, your
complete name and your mailing address for immediate release of your money.
Be aware that the amount due for you for now is Two Million United States
Dollars Only (US2, 000,000.00). Be also informed that the Fund Approvals and
authorization document Including Anti-terrorist Clearance Certificate was
issued in your
name and has been handed over to our office to release to you through our
official fast courier company,
therefore be aware that your fund has obtained all her clearance to be
released to you.

Thanks for Your Cooperation.

Regards
Mr. James Manny
(Telex Director Citi Bank Group)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam