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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "the consignment" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned 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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
  • +22993401483 (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.
  • greenstarexpressscurity85@yahoo.es (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "adamueze702 Gazeta.pl" <adamueze702@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:03:26 +0100
Subject: CONTACT GREEN STAR EXPRESS SECURITY COMPANY COTONOU


Attention My Dear,

Good day, How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have Paid
the fees for your check. And I went to the bank to confirm if the check
has expired or getting near to expire and MR.KEN HENRRY the Director of
Financial Trust Bank told me that before the cheque will get to your hand
that it will expire.

So I told him to cash the $2.500 UNITED STATES DOLLARS to cash payment to
avoid losting this funds.However, all the necessary arrangement of
delivering the $2.500 UNITED STATES DOLLARS in cash was made with GREEN
STAR EXPRESS SECURITY COMPANY here in Cotonou Benin Republic,

MR.KEN HENRRY the Director of Financial Trust Bank Cotonou have to package
the sum of $2.500 in cash for me.Then he also agreed to help me to
Register the Consignment with GREEN STAR EXPRESS SECURITY COMPANY.. Infact I
thank God very much for all the movement I made, every thing goes normally.

As for our agreement with the GREEN STAR EXPRESS SECURITY COMPANY they
promised that your consignment will leave this Country Today ( wednesday or
thrusday ) this week,But the Director of the GREEN STAR EXPRESS SECURITY
COMPANY said that they need your contacts informations to able them meet up
with you immediately the Diplomatic Agent arrived to your Country.

GREEN STAR EXPRESS SECURITY COMPANY COTONOU, BENIN REPUBLIC. EMAIL ADDRESS
:(greenstarexpressscurity85@yahoo.es)
TELEPHONE : (+229 93 401483)
CONTACT PERSON: Dr.EMMANUEL JOE.

Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they
need from you.

1.YOUR FULL NAME2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE
NUMBER.4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE

Please make sure you send this needed info's to the Director general of
Green Star Express Security Company Benin DR .EMMA JOE with the address
given to you.

Note.The Green Star Express Security Company Benin don't know the contents
of the Box. I registered it as a BOX of an Africa cloths. They don't know it
contents money. this is to avoid them delaying with the BOX. don't let them
know that is money that is in that Box.

I am waiting for your urgent response.

You can even call the Director of Green Star Express Security Company Benin
with this line (+229 93 401483)

Thanks and Remain Blessed.

Adamu Eze

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam