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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +27837226069 (South Africa, 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.
  • benson_4_kosonga@yahoo.com
  • benson_2_kosonga@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "benson kosonga" <benson_kosonga_5@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 11:55:07 +0200
Subject: FROM: Mr BENSON KOSONGA.

FROM: Mr BENSON KOSONGA.
No 61 West street Kempton Park,
Johannesburg South Africa,

E-mail :benson_4_kosonga@yahoo.com
benson_2_kosonga@yahoo.com
TEL : +27-83-722-6069

Dear ,

My name is Mr. BENSON KOSONGA. the first son of Mr. Cliff KOSONGA, a former
farm owner and a top Opposition member in Zimbabwean politics (AZAPU).Please
I am actually looking for a person who has got a good experience in hotel
management or any lucrative business overseas, because I cannot operate here
in South Africa due to security reasons. Also my life and that

of my younger brother depends on what I am going to tell you now.
Well you may wonder how I got to know you. Please do not wonder because I
believe it is the work of God that made me to come across your name and your
contact information.
I prayed and asked GOD to help me to get someone who could help me in this
transaction because this money is actually not mine for now.

It is the money my father mapped out for his electioneering campaign and for
upgrading his farmland before he was killed by the government of Mr. Robert
Mugabe because of his strong opposition to the obnoxious Land Reform Act of
the government of President Robert Mugabe. Before he died, he put this money
in the basement of our house in a sealed metal box. The amount is US$ 25.6
Million.

When he was killed, I ran away with my brother with this money to a friend
in South Africa, who helped us to deposit it in a security company since
August last year (2002).
So please I am kindly asking you to assist us transfer this money out of
South Africa into your personal account in your country.

Your reward for this assistance is 35% of the total sum of money.We are
looking forward for your kind assistance.

You can contact me with the above telephone number if you so wish to assist
or you send an E-mail to me.contact:E-mail : benson_4_kosonga@yahoo.com

MR.BENSON KOSONGA.

_________________________________________________________________
Fast. Simple. Personal. Visit the all-new MSN South Africa.
http://za.msn.com/

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam