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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:

• 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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
  • +22993050699 (Benin, probably a 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.
  • uspservicebenin_9@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: onyibor beson <onyiborbeson001001@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:59:23 +0100
Subject: FROM MR ONYIBOR BESON



From: MR ONYIBOR BESONSubject: contact director Robinson cater.Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 14:02:18 +0100My Dear friend, I have Paid the fee for your CHEQUE. But the manager of Ecobank Benin told me that before the cheque will get to you that it will expire. So I told him to cash the $850,000.00 all the necessary arrangements of delivering the $850,000.00 in cash was made with United State Parcel Service compnay Benin Republic. DIRECTOR: DR. Robinson CARTER.TELE: +229-930-506-99EMAIL: uspservicebenin_9@yahoo.fr This is the information they need to deliver your package to you.Please, Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your bOX.This is what they need from you. 1. YOUR FULL NAME2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS.3. YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.4. YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.5. A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE Please make sure you send this needed information’s to the Director general of United State Parcel Service company Benin Republic DR. Robinson CARTER with the address given to you. Be Noted that United State Parcel Service company doesn’t know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a Box of an Africa cloths. They don't know that it contains money. This is to avoid them delaying with the Box. Don’t let them know that is money inside that Box. I am waiting for your urgent response. You can even call the Director of United State Parcel Service company with this line +229-930-506-99 Thanks and Remain Blessed. MR. ONYIBOR BESON.



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam