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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • impexsecuritycompany@mail.md

Fraud email example:

From: "john herry" <j_h_herry6@legwork.com.ng>
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:05:08 +0200
Subject: CONTACT THE IMPEX SECURITY COMPANY


CONTACT THE IMPEX SECURITY COMPANY

Dear Friend,
It has been long we communicate last, am so sorry for
the delay, I want to Inform you that your cheque of
(USD$1.6Million ($1.600.000.00) Which my boss asked me
to mail to you as soon as you requested it, is still
with me.But due to some minure issue you fails to respond at
the Approprete time, and presently the cheque is with
me here in BENIN REPUBLIC.


Though i had a new contact from a friend of mine who
works with one securitycompany here in BENIN REPUBLIC
that will deliver you your cheque at your door step
with a cheeper rate, which the company said that it
will cost you the sum of $105 usd,

So you have to Contact them and register with them
now.And make sure that you furnish him with the following:
information such:Your full name
Your direct celphone Number,Home or Office:Address to
Avoid wrong Delivery,

You should also tell the Company to give you the
Information and how you will send them the Delivery
fee ($105 usd) Immediately you Contact them before the
cheque of USD$1.6Million will be delivered to your Door
step.

Below is the Courier Company contact address:
IMPEX SECURITY COMPANY
CONTACT PERSON: Robert Bello
EMAIL: impexsecuritycompany@mail.md

Mr John Herry.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam