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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:
  • "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 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.
  • +22993744579 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "=?utf-8?q?MR.=20SMITH=20William?=" <mr.smithwilliams2@yahoo.com.co>
Reply-To: mryluke@yahoo.cn
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:58:59 -0800 (PST)
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:mr.smithwilliams2@yahoo.com.co



- Dearest friend, I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transfered under the co-operation of a new partner. Meanwhile, i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how. Now contact my Secretary on his informations below. Name: MR LUKE YAYI Email: mryluke@yahoo.cn Phone: 00229 93-744-579 Ask him to send you the total of $850,000.00 in a certified bank cheque which I kept for your compensation. In the moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which the new partner and I are having at hand, finally remember to send your current informations to him as below. 1) Your full name / 2) Your contact address / 3) Your direct telephone / 4) Age and Occupation. Thanks and God bless. Yours Sincerely. MR SMITH WILLIAMS

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam