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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
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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:
  • "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • +22997480411 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: eric lewer <eric_l35@live.de>
Reply-To: <ericlewer2@gawab.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 05:01:27 +0100
Subject: From Mr Eric Lewer,



From Mr Eric Lewer,Account Department,Financial BankBeninTel: +229 97 480 411. Greetings Dear, Do accept my sincere apologies if my mail does not meet your personal ethics. May I introduce myself first to you so that you will you will know who is contacting you. My names are Eric Lewer,a staff in the accounts management section of a Bank here in Cotonou, Benin republic. One of our accounts with holding balance of £18,100,000(Eighteen Million one hundred thousand )has been dormant and has not been operated for the past 6 years. From my investigations and confirmations,the owner of this account is Raymond Beck, a foreigner,Who died in november 1999 in plane crash in Abidjan coast in Cote D'Ivoire. Since then this account have been domant nobody has done anything as regards of the claiming of this money because he has no family members here who are aware of the existence of either the account or the funds. Also my private investigation from his Nation;s Immigration states that he was also single on entry into this country. As an insider in the bank, I knows all the neccessary Documents and procedures we will use to make you his next of kin regards to this found and achieve our goal fast, coupled that you are foreigner. So i want us to partner and make this deal by standing in as the next of kin so that this fund will be released to you after due processes have been followed.You are entitled of 20% share commission after the conclussion of this transfer. I want you to understand that this transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is legitimate and does not originated from drug, money laundrying, terrorism or any other illegal act.On your interest, let me hear from you urgently. Regards, Eric Lewer.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam