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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.

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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "00,000.00" (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.
  • randkeely@inmail24.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MIKE BILLS" <mikebills1957@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:50:02 -0700
Subject: thanks


Dear.


How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family. You may not
understand why this mail came to you.But if you do not remember me, you
might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded. I am using
this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has
been concluded with the assistance of another partner from Paraguay who
financed the transaction to alogical conclusion.


I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into
your account due to one reason or the other best known to you. But I want to
inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out of my bank to
my new partner's account in Paraguay that was capable of assisting me in
this great venture. Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust
worthiness you shown during the course of the transaction. I want to
compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of US$900.000.00. I
have left a certified international bank draft for you worth of
USD$900,000.00 cashable anywhere in the world.


My dear friend I will like you to contact my secretary with Rand Keely,on
his direct email address at:[ randkeely@inMail24.com] for
collection of your bank draft. I authorized him to release the Bank Draft to
you whenever you ask him for it. At the moment,I'm very busy here because of
the investment projects, which I and the new partner are having at
hand.Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is
from the bottom of my heart,


Also comply with Rand KEELY directives so that he will send the draft to you
without any delay.CONTACT:Rand Keely:Email
address:randkeely@inMail24.com,You are required to furnish him with
the


Below information to enable him deliver the cheque to you,


1.FULL NAMES:______________________


2.ADDRESS:____________ __________


3.E-MAILADDRESS:_______________



4.TELEPHONE NUMBER:___________________


Hoping to hear from you.


Thanks,
Mike Bills

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam