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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
  • "certified bank draft" (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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • p.ter3@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Chris Moore" <chrismoore@biz.by>
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 00:26:47 +0200
Subject: My Dear Beloved ,


My Dear Beloved ,

Longest time ,How are you today? Hope all is well with you . I hope this
mail meets you in a perfect condition. I want you to comprehend why i
revert back to you. may be you might not remember me again.

Well,I am using this opportunity to inform you that i have successfully
transferred my inheritence fund out through a help of new foreign friend
from China Asia Pacific who was capable of assisting me in the great
venture. i did not forget you no matter it fails us some how during the
course of the transaction , I remeber to compensate you and show my
intergrity and gratitude to you with the sum of $1.2.Million usa dollar
certified bank draft Cheque.

I left the Bank Draft Cheque with my secretary i Mr. Peter Johnson
upon my departure to China, My dear friend, be kind to contact my secretary
Mr. Peter Johnson . for the collection of this money hence I have authorized
him to release the money to you as soon as you contact him.

At the moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which
myself and the new partner are having at hand. Please I will like you to
accept this token with good faith , this is from the bottom of my heart.
email Mr. Peter Johnson, so that he will send the money to you without any
delay.

CONTACT: Mr.Peter Johnson
EMAIL: p.ter3@yahoo.fr

Therefore, remember to send him your full Name and telephone number/your
address where you want him to send the cheque to you. Remain blessed with
your family. Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks
Dr.Chris Moore

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam