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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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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found 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. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
  • desmond_chika@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: john kevin <john_kevin7@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <desmond_chika@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:50:12 +0100
Subject: COMPLIMENT OF THE DAY AND GOD BLESSING



My Dear friend,

How are you and your family today? I hope your alright. It's been long I heard from you.I'm very glad to update you about my success in getting those money transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from China. Everything was perfectly done because we strike a deal with one of the Lady accountant who works with (HSBC) bank and she rendered a tremendous help to us. My new partner initiated this idea and everything worked out successfully.
Right now I'm in China for investment projects with my own share out of the total sum of $21.7m. Meanwhile,i didn't forsake your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those money although it failed us some how. I have decided to compensate you with the sum of $1.5 USD ( One Million,Five Hundred United States Dollars) in a cheque. This is from my own share, I did this simply to show you that it is good to do good things to the right people always. So comply with Mr Desmond Chika directives so that he will send the money to you without any delay. Contact: Mr Desmond Chika / WTM Secretary.Address: Cotonou, Benin RepublicEmail: (desmond_chika@yahoo.fr)So feel free to get in touch with him, He will send the Bank Cashier Cheque in amount above to you without any delay.
I will also like you to reconfirm your contact information as you wish to receive your money to him as I stated below to enable him send the cheque to you.

1. FULL NAMES:2. ADDRESS:3. OCCUPATION:4. TELEPHONE NUMBER:5. CITY:6. STATE:7. COUNTRY:

Try and update me as soon as you receive it so that we can share the joy togather as one brother after all the sufferings at that time.
Meanwhile, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which I and the new partner are having at hand, Please remember that I have forwarded instructions to my secretary Mr.desmond chika on your behalf to receive that money. Feel free to get in touch with Mr Okey on his email address: (desmond_chika@yahoo.fr)

Yours faithfullyJOHN KEVIN.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam