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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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 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.
  • +22993664714 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: matthew peter <matthewpeter00024@hotmail.fr>
Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 02:21:33 +0100
Subject: CONTACT GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY.



Attention Dear, I have paid the fee for your Cheque Draft. But the manager of Oceanic Bank Benin told me that before the check will get to you that it will expire. So I told him to cash $850,000.00 all the necessary arrangement of delivering the $850,000.00 in cash was made with GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY.This in the information they need to delivery your package to you. ATTN: DR.PASCAL NEWTONTELE: 00229-936-647-14EMAIL: g_couriercompanybenin0009@yahoo.frPlease, Send them your contacts information to able 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 Global Express Courier Company Dr, Pascal Newton with the address given to you.Note. The Global Express courier company doesn’t know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a Box of an Africa cloth. They don't know it contents money. This is to avoid them delaying with the Box. Don’t let them know that is money that is in that Box. I am waiting for your urgent response. You can even call the Director of Global Express Courier Company with this line 00229-936-647-14 Thanks and Remain Blessed.Matthew Peter

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam