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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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 states 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +2289578048 (Togo, 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.
  • lisashehata01@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Lisa Shehata <lisashehata01@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <lisashehata01@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 08:04:01 +0000
Subject: PAYMENT CONFIRMATION.



INTERNATIONAL BANK OF AFRICA
212,RUE DU GRAND MARCHE,LOME-TOGO. FROM THE DESK OF MRS.LISA SHEHATA
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TELEX DEPARTMENT. (IBA) HEAD OFFICE LOME-TOGO.


GARIKI FACE 2.F.C.T LOME. Tel:+228-957-8048. Email:lisashehata01@yahoo.com
Dear Sir, PAYMENT ALLOCATION OF USD$10.5M

We apologies, for the delay of your payment and all the inconveniences and inflict that we might have indulge you through. However, we were having some minor problems with our payment system, which is inexplicable, and have held us stranded and indolent, not having the aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting foreign payments. We apologies once again. From the records of outstanding inheritance fund due for payment with the federal government of Togo, your name was discovered as next kin on the list of the outstanding inheritance fund which have not yet received their payments. I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square whole and can be voguish for that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding Inheritance payment with us is $10.5M, (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only) Kindly re-confirm to me the followings: (1) Your full name.(2) Phone, fax and mobile #.(3) Position and address.(4)profession, age and marital status.
(5) Your bank details. As soon as this informations are received, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank transfer from international bank of Africa Lome-Togo and a pin code will be given to you for your Confirmation of your payment in your bank. Regards, MRS.LISA SHEHATA,EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL BANK OF AFRICA,(IBA).LOME-TOGO
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam