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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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)
  • "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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22993664713 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • kelvin_wasghinton900@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "solomon" <solomonmike2@centrum.sk>
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:41:13 +0200
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY FOR YOUR COMPENSATION



 Dear Friend,
 
I am barr kelvin  Carlos  and I am very happy to inform you about my
 success in getting that fund transferred. Now I want you to contact my
 secretary on his email address below and receive your compensation of
 $750,000.00 us dollars from him:
 
Mr kelvin_wasghinton
EMAIL: kelvin_wasghinton900@yahoo.fr
Phone number +229-93-66-47-13
Kindly reconfirm to him the following below information:
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 is
 you. Ask him to send you the total sum of ($750,000.00 )USD 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 currently away in Japan for investment
 purpose with my share and I will be busy till about six months time or
 a year.Best regards,barr.Solomonmike

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam