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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a orphan scam.
• 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.
  • mmxxlinda@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "lindasmentu" <lindasmentu@terra.com.mx>
Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2006 08:31:45 -0600
Subject: GET BACK TO ME


Good day TO You Assist a deaf
,
i'm deaf girl of 26 years old
Reply me at mmxxlinda@myway.com

And its A Good Thing of knowing you Which I believe
you will be of great assistants to me that will make
the beginning of never-ending family relationship. I
hope that this proposal will not be an inconvenience
or embarrassment to you.I must not hesitate to confide
in you this simple and sincere business.


My name is linda , I am 26 years of age, the only daughter

of late Mr and Mrs METU ODINGA, from Parakou
District of Adjara Province in Republic of Benin
My father before his death was a prosperous Cocoa and
Gold merchant in Cotonou, Republic of Benin before
his untimely death, after his business trip to Portonovo
-Benin Republic, to negotiate on a Cocoa and
Gold business he wanted to invest in Portonovo Benin
Republic.



My mother died when I was little ,and since then my
father took me so special. Before his death
on 12th November 2002 he told me that he has the sum
of Eight million,five hundred thousand United State
Dollars.(USD$8.500.000) deposited in a security
company in Portonovo Benin Republic, that he wanted to
use his fund to invest his cocoa business in Benin Republic.
After the burial of my late father i came down to
Portonovo and went to the security company where the
fund is deposited with all the documents regarding to
the deposit of the fund that was given to me by my late father
METU ODINGA, .

But because of the unstable political
problems here this year I instructed the security
company to transfer the consignment to their
affilliate office in Europe, the fund is presently in
Europe now waiting for clearance.

I am just 26 years old and a university undergraduate
and really don't know what to do.Now I want you to
help me claim and transfer the fund for investment in
your country because I have suffered a lot of set
backs as a result of incessant political crisis here
in Benin Republic.The death of my father actually brought
sorrow to my life.
I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in
this regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be
highly regarded.

Now permit me to ask these few questions:
1. Can you honestly help me.
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question
will be good for you after the money is in your
custody.

Please,Consider this and get back to me as soon as
posible.
Thank you so much and God bless you.
My sincere regards,

Miss LINDA METU

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam