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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.

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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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "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 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.
  • waterbrown11@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • 3awaterbrown11@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "magnus williams" <mrmagnuswilliams22@mailbox.hu>
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 10:41:05 -0700
Subject: INTERNATIONAL BANK DRAFT CONTACT MR WATER BROWN


Dear Friend ,

I am happy to inform you about my success in getting your winning funds
under the cooperation of a new partner from South Africa. Presently I'm in
South Africa for investment projects with my own share of the total sum.
Meanwhile, I did not forget your past efforts and attempts to get your
winnings despite that failed somehow.I have made a deposit of $700.000.00
(SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) with Mr.water brown. Now contact
Mr.water brown., Find below his contact information.

NAME: MR.water brown.
E-MAIL:waterbrown11@gmail.com <E-MAIL%3Awaterbrown11@gmail.com>

Ask him to send you the total $700.000.00 (SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND US
DOLLARS) certified bank Cheque, which I raised in your favor for your
compensation for all the past efforts and attempt in this matter.I really
appreciated your efforts at that time very much. So feel free and get in
touch with Mr.water brown.and give him your address where to send the draft
to you or rather inform him about a telegraphic wire transfer if you like.
Please do let me know immediately you receive the Cheque to enable us share
the joy after all the sufferness at that time. In the moment, I'm very busy
here because of the investment projects, which the new partner and me are
having at hand,finally, remember that I had forwarded instruction to
Mr.water brown.without any delay.

Best regards,
MR.magnus williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam