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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:

• 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:
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +22993130571 (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.
  • info.barribaco_office@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: barristerbacorichard <barristerbacorichard@orange.nl>
Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:26:29 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Dear friend.


FROM BARRISTER BACO RICHARD.
President Head, Union Chambers COTONU,
C/112 Calavi-Igolo
Cotonou Benin Republic
E-mail;info.barribaco_office@yahoo.fr
Tel :+229 93 13 05 71
Dearest One
To start with, may I solicit your trust worthiness and confidence on this issue, for the nature of it and my position in the Pan-African development finance institution established in 1964 to foster economic growth and social progress in Africa.
Sincerely it is unlawful to expose any account owner customer banking information to a third party, but for business sake, let it be private between both of us.It is my humble wish to bring to your notice a transaction which I consider most strictly confidential.
Kindly be it known that I have made series of enquiry on this issue, I am :BARRISTER BACO RICHARD. Of above address, account officer to one late customer who used to work as the Director of Oil Company in Benin Republic.
Based on irregularity in our banking sector I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left by our late customer before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives, I now seek your consent to present you as the next of kin Of the deceased since you are with the same surname, so that the Proceeds of this account valued at $8.5 dollars can be paid to you,
If you accept to carry out this project with us, we will offer you 40% of the total sum, while I and my Colleagues involved will take 60% of the total sum. Upon your acceptance to do this deal with us, we will jointly effect the transfer within 10 banking working days.
However i need the below information:
Your Full Name and Address,
Your Age, Occupation and Position,
Your Telephone and Mobile for Communication Purpose.
Please get back to me through my office email address I await your Call and reply ASAP. reply this mail to my private
E-mail:info.barribaco_office@yahoo.fr
The amount in questioned is $8.5million United States dollars which upon your confirmation of capability can be swiftly transfer into your account when the remittance department issue approval certificate in your favour.
Your cooperation is highly needed soonest.
Best Regards,
Barrister Baco Richard LLB.HON.

The information in this e-mail and any attachements is CONFIDENTIAL and is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review,retransmission, dissemination and other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons other than the intended recipient is prohibited.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam