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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "insurance fee " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
• 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.
  • speedmark_courier@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "victoria alahasan" <alahasan.vic@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:51:51 +0100
Subject: PLS CONTACT SPEEDMARK COURIER COMPANY ASAP TODAY.....


Ministère du Développement,de l'Économie et des Finances.
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL AUTHORISING OFFICER
BP 1818 cocotomy Abedmey
Cotonou Republic of Benin


Dear Beneficiary

The ministry have been waiting for you to come down here to pick up your
Bank Draft,but have not heared from you.So we went and deposited the Draft
with a Courier company named: Speedmark Courier service Company here in
Benin Republic.You are to contact Speedmark Courier service Company to know
when your package will be delivered.
Our ministry has taking care of both the delivery charges and insurance fee
based on the aggreement with the world bank and paris club.The only charge
you are to handle or send to them is the Dumurange fee which is $150,before
they deliver your package.Don't be deceived by any body,you are to Contact
the courier company with the informations below.


Attn: Mr Albert Dean
Address: BP 2005 Ste Ceceile Ave,
Cotonou Republic Du Benin.
TEL:+299-93176354
EMAIL:speedmark_courier@myway.com

Try to contact them as soon as possible to avoid increasing the Dumurange
fee. Finally, you have to reconfirm this information, your complete name,
phone number and residence address to them again to avoid any mistake in
delivering your package to your house address.You are to keep me updated as
soon as you receive your draft/package.
Regards,

Mrs Victoria Alahasan
Secretary office

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam