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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "the consignment " (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)
  • "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • dipcsco_officefile03@yahoo.dk

Fraud email example:

From: Peter Obi <peter_obi9@easymail.hu>
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:27:07 +0200
Subject: I am now successful

Good Day,

Its my pleasure to inform you that your compensation fund of $1,500,000.00 (ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS)certified bank draft has been converted to cash through the help of the issuing bank as it has delayed more than necessray and to avoid expiring,thats why  Your fund was packaged in a consignment and it will be delivered to you as a cash payment by the diplomats .
However your consignment containing your fund has been registered as African Fabrics with Diplomatic Courier Service Company Cotonou,Benin Republic for immediate despatch and onword delivery of your consignment to your destination.You are required to contact the Diplomatic Courier Service Company Cotonou,Benin Republic for immediate delivery of your consignment to your home address as they are waiting to hear from you to receive the information, where to have your Consigment delivered to your address. You should reach them with this information below:

Attn: MrStanley Martins
2/4 honvo jacques route
Cotonou,Benin
EMAIL;(dipcsco_officefile03@yahoo.dk )
Website: www.dipcsc.ifrance.com

Below is the consignment registration number CON/5478/AF/AD/07. You are required to include it in your mail which you will send to the diplomatic company.If you have any identification ,you can send it as well.

 As soon as you receive your consignment inform me. For your information do not disclose the content of the box to the company as it was registered as AFRICA FABRIC MATERIALS.THEY DID NOT KNOW IT CONTAINS PHYSICAL CASH.SO YOU SHOULD TAKE NOTE AS WELL.

Regards
Mr Peter Obi

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam