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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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 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.
  • +22993797592 (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.
  • ojothomastcc@myway.com
  • ojothomas_tcc@k.ro
  • nom.nom@laposte.net

Fraud email example:

From: "of.files" <of.files@laposte.net>
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:48:00 +0100 (CET)
Subject: CONTACT THEM NOW, (VERY IMPORTANT).



SECRETARY OFFICE
BP 1818 COCOTOMY ABEDMEY.
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.

Dear Friend,

I have been waiting for you to come down here to pick up your Bank Draft,But i did not hear from you. Then I went and deposited the Draft with a Courier company named : Thames Courier Service here in Benin Republic, because i am travelling to return next month end. You are to contact the Thames Courier Company to know when they will deliver your package .I have paid for the delivering charges and insurance fee. The only money you have to send to them is there security keeping fee of $110.00 only to received your package. Don't be deceived by any body this is there Contact Informations.

Attn: Mr Ojo Thomas
Address : BP 20 Ste Ceceile Ave,
Cotonou Republic Du Benin.
TEL: +229-9379-7592
EMAIL: ojothomastcc@myway.com OR ojothomas_TCC@k.ro

Try to contact them as soon as possible to avoid increasing the security keeping fee. Finally, you have to reconfirm this information, namely Your complete name, phone number and residence address to them again to avoid any mistake in the delivering. Let me know as soon as you receive your Draft.

Regards,
Mr. Greg Adams
Secretary

Créez votre adresse électronique prénom.nom@laposte.net
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam