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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (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.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22997250991 (Benin, 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.
  • globaltrustsecuritcompanylmt@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: Mike Koko <mikko_ko39@hotmail.fr>
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:36:53 +0100
Subject: CONTACT COURIER COMPANY FOR YOUR DRAFT



Dear Friend,

I have been expecting you to come down here and pick your international certified Bank draft of $800.000.00 USD (Eight hundred thousand united states Dollars) from my client but did not hear from you since that time,

so I deposited the Draft with Global Trust Security Company in Beninfor delivery to you via thair courier services ,before I travelled out of Country to see my family. your have to contact the Global Trust Security Company to know when your package will deliver to your Door step. But you have to keep small money for the keeping of your package i would had pay that but they said no because to contact you may take times in case of dumorage.

I have concluded the instruction from my boss. Contact the DirectorGeneral Dr Raymond Onega to know when they will deliver the package for your and also to give you the tracking number. to know when it willarrive to your home address.

Contact the Courier company with this informations,

DIRECTOR :Dr Raymond Onega.ADDRESS :GLOBAL TRUST SECURITY COMPANY PLCWANLIDA HOUSE BUILDING20 DEGBAGO CRESCENT,COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.EMAIL:globaltrustsecuritcompanylmt@yahoo.com info.globaltrust@gmail.comPHONE CONTACT: +22997250991

Send the following informations to them for proper identification andeasy delivery.(1)Full Names:(2)Delivery Address:(3)Occupation:(4)Telephone numbers (home and office)

Let me know as soon as you receive your Draft as my client is greatlyconcerned. Have a Nice Day.

Sincerely,Barrister Mike Koko,
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam