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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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  (+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.

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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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • +22993488281 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: frank williams <frank556@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <f_williams00229@yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 08:29:40 +0100
Subject: READ AND GET BACK TO ME PLS.



From Mr Frank williams,Cotonou Benin Republic,Tel: 00229-93 48 82 81.



My Dear Friend,

This letter must come to you as a big surprise, but I believe it is only a day that people meet and become great friends and business partners.I got your Contact in my search for a reputable and trust worthy person/Company, Who can stand confidently with me in this successful business arrangement. Before I proceed, I will like to introduce my humble self To you.

My name is Mr Frank Williams , the present branch Manager of a bank here in Benin Republic West Africa.I write you this proposal in good faith, believing that I can trust you with the information I am about to reveal to you. Like I said, I have a transaction that will benefit both of us, as your assistance is required as a foreigner.I use to head the Accounts department in my bank head office, but last year I was asked to take position of a Manager of our branch in Cotonou who passed on, so that was how I became the present Manager and discovered a fortune.

As I resumed duty, I discovered an account with total sum of us$35.000.000.00 (THIRTY FIVE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS ONLY)that has not been operated on for the past years. From my investigation,I found out that this account belongs to one Late Mr.David Tiago an American big time Oil dealer, who unfortunately lost his life on november 1999 in a plane crash.I have kept a close monitoring of the account since then and nobody has come forward to claim the money as next of kin to the late Mr.David Tiago meaning that no one is aware of the account. I cannot directly take out this money without the help of a foreigner and that is why I am contacting you for an assistance to claim the funds and share it with me.

As the Manager of my bank branch, I have the power to influence the release of the funds to any foreigner that comes up as the next of kin to the account,with the correct information concerning the account, which I shall give you.I am seeking your co-operation to present you as the next of kin to the account. There is practically no risk involved, the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

If you accept to work with me, you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside to take care of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone bills, while 60% will be for me. I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your which in this deal.

Meanwhile: You are advise to send your contact details Asap E.g:

Your full name and address.Your private Tel/Fax Numbers for easy communication.Your Sex and age.Your occupation.

Thanking you in advance and may God bless you.

PLEASE TREAT AS UTMOST URGENCY.


I wait your urgent response via email and call.

Best Regards,Mr.Frank williams,Tel:+229-93 48 82 81.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam