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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. ERIC BOWELL" <bowell4@gala.net>
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 22:43:45 +0200
Subject: CONTACT MY PASTOR


DEAR FRIEND,

I AM BARRISTER ERIC BOWELL AND I AM VERY HAPPY TO INFORM YOU ABOUT MY SUCCESS
IN GETTING THAT FUND TRANSFERED. NOW I WANT YOU TO CONTACT MY PASTOR ON THE
INFORMATION BELOW TO RECEIVE YOUR COMPENSATION OF ($1.5MILLION US DOLLARS
ONLY).

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL HIM
CONTACT MY PASTOR. MR, FELIX OJI.
TEL : 00 2299 7998997
EMAIL ADDRESS : pastorfelix41@live.com

SEND HIM THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO PROVE YOURSELF TO HIM:
YOUR FULL NAME;................
YOUR ADDRESS:...................
YOUR COUNTRY:...................
YOUR AGE:...........................
YOUR OCCUPATION:.............
YOUR PHONE NUMBER:.......

NOTE THAT IF YOU DID NOT SEND HIM THE ABOVE INFORMATION COMPLETE, HE WILL NOT
RELEASE THE CHEQUE TO YOU BECAUSE HE HAS TO BE SURE THAT IT'S YOU. ASK HIM
TO SEND YOU THE TOTAL SUM OF $1.5 MILLION US DOLLARS CASHIER'S CHEQUE,
WHICH I KEPT FOR YOU. NOTE ALSO THAT I WILL NOT BE REACHED BY EMAIL OR PHONE
FOR NOW BECAUSE I AM CORRENTLY AWAY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSE WITH MY SHARE AND I
WILL BE BUSY TILL ABOUT SIX MONTHS TIME OR A YEAR.

REGARDS,
MR. ERIC BOWELL.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam