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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)
  • "million 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)
  • "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • raymondkojo1@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister.Lionel Agbo" <lionel_a1@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: barrister_lionel1@gawab.com
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 02:54:04 +0100 (BST)
Subject: GET BACK TO ME


Good day my dear friend,

I am Mr Raymond Kojo the personal Assistant to the Branch Manager of Central Bank Benin COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC in West Africa. I want to inquire from you if you can handle a transaction of mutual benefits for both of us.The transaction is about seeking your consent to present you as the next of kin/ beneficiary of 7.5Million dollars belonging to a deceased customer of the Bank where i work.I will give you more details about the transaction when I receive your response.I will advice you to reply me at this email so that I can have quick access to your response: raymondkojo1@yahoo.com

Thanks

Mr.Raymond Kojo


---------------------------------
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A Smarter Email.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam