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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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" (scammers rush victims so they 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. )
• 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.
  • fedexdeliveryexpresscobenin@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: george_williams003@zipmail.com.br
Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:45:38 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?CONTACT=20THE=20FEDEX=20DELIVERY=20COMPANY=20NOW?=

Hello My Dear Friend,

I want to inform you that the fee for your Cheque Draft has been Paid last
week Friday by 2:30 Pm afternoon because the manager of Eco Bank Benin told
me that before the check will get to you it will expire.So i told him to
cash the $850,000.00,all the necessary arrangement of delivering of the
$850,000.00 in cash was made with FEDEX COMPANY WORLD WILD.Here is the contact
of the Fedex Company World Wild bellow.

ATTN: Mr JOSEPH UGO.
EMAIL: fedexdeliveryexpresscobenin@gmail.com
Please send them your contacts information to enable them locate you immediately
they arrived in your country with your BOX. This the information they need
from you in order to deliver your box to your address.
*1.YOUR FULL NAME-------------------------------
*2.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 info to the Director general Fedex
Company world wild in Benin Mr JOSEPH UGO. with the address given to you.Note.The
fedex company here don't know the contents of the Box. your package was
register as family valuables, They don't know it contents money to avoid
them delaying with the Box. Please don't let them to know that the contents
of the Box is money to avoid them from delaying with the box. I am waiting
for your urgent response. Meanwhile the only fee you have to pay them is
$185 USD they will use to obtain insurance certificate and claims of affadvite
that will prove the box that consist total sum of $850,000.00 belongs to
you. Be rest assure that all other fees have been paid by me.I am waiting
for your urgent response.

Thanks
Secretary George Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam