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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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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:
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned 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. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "pal_map06@gazeta.pl" <pal_map06@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: paulmaple04@live.com
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:56:11 -0700
Subject: Hello My GOOD Friend.


Hello My GOOD Friend.

I have deposited the cheque with Capital Trust Bank,to
process it into ATM MASTER CARD for you.

All the arrangement of processing your cheque of $850.000.00 into ATM Master
card will be made on your contact with ATM DEPARTMENT with Capital Trust
Bank Plc Cotonou Benin Republic.

contact DR.Morris Baker ,; EMAIL:(
morris_baker4@live.com<http://ca.mc590.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=morris_baker4@live.com>)
Send your contacts to enable him process your Master card fast.

Please kindly reconfirm the follows:YOUR NAME,ADDRESS,PHONE,COUNTRY,SEX,

Note That it was agreed that you will send to them the
sum of $145.00 Only for the processing of your ATM
master card.

Best Regards.
Mr Paul Maple

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam