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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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)
  • "demurrage " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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 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.
  • speedcourier2010@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Jack Williams"<jarkwilliams@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <speedcourier2010@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2009 17:51:12 +0200
Subject: SPEEDWAY COURIER SERVICE LTD

SPEEDWAY COURIER SERVICE LTD
Metro Plaza, Plot 991/992
Zakari Maimalari Street
Cadastral Zone AO,
Central Business District
Tel; (00229)98092404
E-mail; speedcourier2010@gmail.com

 

Dear Friend,

This organization has been waiting for your receiving address to enable us complete the delivery of your Cashier? Cheque valued of Us$950, 000, 00 to you. Because the Federal Ministry of Finance in conjunction with ECOWAS head office in Benin that approved and signed the Cheque on your name has already paid for all the delivering and insurance fees, but the deposited package has already accumulate demurrage charge of only $340, and if you did not contact our company from now to 4 working days the package will continue to attracts more additional demurrage charges, because the package was deposited here since on 14th May 2009.

 

Be aware that the Federal Ministry of Finance in conjunction with ECOWAS head office done this offer to compensate all the foreign beneficiaries that have lost some money during their transaction in Africa from 2006 to 2009. And your E-mail Address was in among listed Addresses Please you are expected to contact us immediately through below email address to enable us commence action and complete our obligation with the delivery of your parcel to you, this is because further delay will attract more additional terminal demurrage charges or loosing of the package.

 

Finally, you have to reconfirm to us once more your full information such as your complete name, phone number and residential address to avoid mistake in the delivery. Call this number for more details (+229)98092404

 
Yours Faithfully
Mr. Jack Williams.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam