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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:

• 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)
  • "certified bank draft" (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.
  • edmphillips@hotmail.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. John Stewart" <drjostewart11@msn.com>
Reply-To: <edmphillips@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:42:37 +0000
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY



Dear Friend,
I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting the fund transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from Australia. Presently I am in Australia for investment projects with him. Meanwhile,I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how due to lack of finance. Now contact my secretary in London UK, his name is Mr. Edmund Phillips, on his e-mail address: edmphillips@hotmail.co.uk arrange with him on how to send you the total sum of £750,000.00 GBP which was made in a Certified Bank Draft for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempts to assist me in this transaction.
I appreciated your efforts at that time very much. So feel free and get in touched with my secretary Mr. Edmund Phillips, Kindly reconfirm to him the following below information:
Your full name:Your current address:Your Phone number:
In the moment, I am very busy here because of the investment projects I am having with my new partner. Please do let me know immediately you receive the funds so that we can share the joy together.
Sincerely,Dr. John Stewart

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam