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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:
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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:
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22995634352 (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.
  • martinsc324@latinmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: Martins Carlos <securecontact@orange.nl>
Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:04:15 +0100 (CET)
Subject: URGENT URGENT PLEASE.


How are you? It`s my pleasure to write you at a time like this and a miraculous New Year 2008 for us to have a friendly relationship. I subjectively have good purposes following with my plea for our relationship, something in which I believe will interest you most, mainly a business transaction that I needed your assistance to complete.
My name is Martins Carlos and a lawyer to my client/foreigner who invested in local banks in Benin, and same who by nature died over 3 decades without a Will for a Next Of Kin “whom by law would inherit his assets” As his lawyer I want to retrieve those fund from the different banks which summed up to US$40 million. A situation that had provoked me to send letters to bank to release that money to me which they have granted. But right now I want a foreign partner as a successor for investment and you could be one if we find pleasure in relationship. I agree that your company will share 30% (percent) of all the money once we come through. I want you to keep this discussion confidential, and also send to me your profile in reply.With pleasure I am extending my humble & much loved greetings to you while expecting to hear from you in a short time
Martins Carlos Esq.
CALL +22995634352 OR REPLY ME WITH THIS EMAIL: lawyer84@live.com /martinsc324@latinmail.com if you`re interested.
‘Ste, Marcabinet & LawCube Sarl’ Rue 823 Uodouoe,Akpakpa-Adu II, Cotonou.Rep.of Benin. Fax home #+22921338080.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam