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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "necessary legal documents" (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 ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "million dollars" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • barrister.johncovi01@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: John Covi <barrister.johncovi02@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: barrister.johncovi01@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 02:29:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Attn, Maaike Moynes




From Barrister John COVI
03 BP 2257 Cotonou,
Benin Republic West Africa,
EMAIL: barrister.johncovi01@yahoo.fr
 
Attn: Moynes
 
I am Barrister John COVI, the personal attorney at law to Late Ing. Michael Moynes, a national of your country, who used to work as the Director of Petroliers in (TOTAL BENIN) by Benin Republic West Africa Here in after, shall be referred to as my client.
 
On 27th of May 2004 my client,His wife and their three Children were involved in a car accident Along Grossi express-road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved Unsuccessfully.
 
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His Surname over the Internet,to locate any member of the Family with the last name,that is why I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in Repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank here.These huge deposits were lodged particularly with the "BANQUE ATLANTIQUE DU BENIN (BAB)" An affiliate of Commercial Bank of Africa where the Deceased had an account valued at about US$18.5 million dollars.
 
The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over four years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name with him, so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$18.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can Share the money. 30% to me and 70% to you as the family relative, then we will procure all the Necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this Deal through.
 
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. And the way we are going to achieve this is I will need the following important information from you, please I am very serious about this case,nothing like joke inside this matter, I am very serious to the following important information's from you as details.
 
Your Full Name and Address,
Your Age,
Occupation and Position,
Your Telephone and Mobile for Communication Purpose.
 
I await your reply ASAP.    
Best Regards,
Barrister John COVI

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam