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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "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. )
  • "and cash it" (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.
  • douglas_duke@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "lucdossa2 Gazeta.pl" <lucdossa2@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 18:33:59 +0200
Subject: Contact my Pastor for your compensation of $800,000 only.


My Friend,

Compliments of the day and God's blessings from our Lord Jesus Christ Amen!!

I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction,
the money has been transferred to London. I suceeded through the assistant
of Mr.Rod Davison who is a London based business man, he cleared the fees
and the fund was transfered to his account. Currently I am in London with
him and his family i'm enbacking on estate investment.

However, I did not forget you because you are the source of my success, you
made me what I am now though you weren't there to complete this project with
me but I give all the credit and thanks to you for yur past efforts . I know
it wasn't your fault or rather your wish to back out on me and the
transaction. I understand it was your situation then.

In appreciation of your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and
wrote on your favour a certified bank draft worth of $800 eight hundred
thousand United States Dollars Only, I have deposited this draft with my
pastor to deliver the draft to you as soon as you contcat him.

I would like you therefore, to contact my pastor on the below info so that
he can deliver the draft to you without any delays. please kindly be
informed that it is cahsable for 28 days so make sure you receive and cash
it before then, don't forget to recomfirm your full names, your home
address, your telephone for easy communication.

Attn: PASTOR DOUGLAS DUKE.
EMAIL: douglas_duke@sify.com

Contact my PASTOR in Republic of Benin so that he can deliver your bank
draft to you. I will stop here. Once again, thank you very much and remain
blessed with your family. May the good Lord continue to guide you and your
family, i will visit you in your country, but that should be when i'm less
busy, extend my greetings to all your family members and well wishers in the
Lord.

Regards,
Brother Luc Dossa.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam