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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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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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 fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• 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.
  • +34652677942 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Fernando Sanchez <fernandos02@hotmail.es>
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:55:28 +0100
Subject: CLAIM RELEASE FORM.




MICROWORD CORPORATIONS SWEEPSTAKES PROMO.CALLE SABASTINE 41, 28021, MADRID SPAIN.Date: 17th February 2009.Attention: Winner,We the entire staffs of Microword Corporations wishes to congratulate you for being one of the lucky winners in this season's lottery promotion. This is an independent promotion and it's unconnected to any publication, no purchase necessary.Microword Corporations rolled out over €7,000.000.00 (Seven Million Euros) to encourage the use of the Internet and promote computer literacy worldwide. All participants were selected through our Microword computer ballot system drawn from 52,000 Names, 5,000 names from each continent, as part of International "E-MAIL "Promotions Program, for our prominent MS WORD user all over the world, and for the Continues use of E-mail.INFORMATION NEEDED FROM YOU TO ISSUE YOUR CHEQUE ON YOUR FULL NAME AND CONTACT ADDRESS!!Mode Of Payment Optional: BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFER OR COURIER DELIVERY SERVICES PLEASE INDICATE.YOUR FULL NAME: OCCUPATION: AGE: SEX: ADDRESS: POST CODE: CITY: STATE: COUNTRY: MOBILE-TELEPHONE: FAX NUMBER: SCAN OR FAX COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT OR DRIVING LICENSE WINNER EMAIL ADDRESS: REFERENCE NUMBER:As soon as you send the information to us by Email, These will enable us start your Verification Procedure from our Office here in Europe Madrid Spain.However once the verification is done all the necessary documents that are required for you to receive your Fund in your country will be file along with your winning certificate. Congratulations in advance.Yours faithfully,Mr. Fernando Sanchez.Foreign Transfer Manager:MSFT Word Resource.Tel: 0034-65 2677 942This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. ©2009 Microword Corporation
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam