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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.

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:
  • "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)
  • "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 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.
  • +22997761759 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • barr_lucky_obumu01@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "akpaego50 Gazeta.pl" <akpaego50@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 20:06:42 +0100
Subject: Hello my good friend,


Hello 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 VIETNAM. Presently i'm in
VIETNAM for investment projects with my own share of the total sum.


Meanwhile,i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in
transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how.


Now contact my secretary in Benin, his name is barr lucky on Email:(
barr_lucky_obumu01@yahoo.fr ) and his Telephone:+229-97-76-17-59 ask him
to send you the total of $1,200,000.00 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 in
touched with my secretary barr lucky and instruct him where to send the
amount to you.


Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the
joy after all the sufferings at that time. At the moment, I'm very busy here
because of the investment projects which the new partner and I are having at
hand. Finally, remember that I had forwarded instruction to the secretary on
your behalf to receive that money, so feel free to get in touch with him, He
will send the amount to you without any delay.


You are advised to send him this information below:
1.Your full Name,.............
2.Telephone number,....................
3.Your correct m ailing address where you want him to send the cheque
to you



Thanks and Regards.

Mr akpaego

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam