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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "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)
  • "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. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +22997062193 (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.
  • fedexexpresscourieservice@yahoo.fr
  • 3afedexexpresscourieservice@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "Don Smith" <donsmith2@klikni.cz>
Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 17:41:52 +0200
Subject: CONTACT FEDEX COURIER SERVICE FOR YOUR PACKAGE


Hello,

I have been waiting for you since to contact me for yourConfirmable Bank
Draft of $2.5Million United States Dollars, but I didnot hear from you since
that time. Then I went to the bank to confirm ifthe draft has expired or
getting near to expire and Mr. Justin Yayi the Director Bank of Africa told
me that before the draft will get to your hand that it will expire. So I
told him to cash the $2.5Million USD UNITED STATES DOLLARS to cash payment
to avoid losing this funds underexpiration as I will be out out of the
country for a 6Months Course andI will not come back till end of July 2008.

The only money you willsend to the Courier Company to deliver your
Consignment direct to yourpostal Address in your country is ($110.00 US) One
Hundred & Five United States Dollars only being Security Keeping Fee of the
Courier Company sofar.Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other
money except$110.00 US Dollars. I would have paid that but they said no
because they don't know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage.

Contact Person: Mr. Ben Johnson Note this. The FEDEXCOURIER SERVICE company
don't know the contents of the Box. I registeredit as a Gift item and
Personal belongs. They did not know the contentswas money. this is to avoid
them delaying with the BOX. contactContact

Contact Person: Mr. Ben Johnson
Email Address:fedexexpresscourieservice@yahoo.fr<Address%3Afedexexpresscourieservice@yahoo.fr>
phone:+229 97 06 21 93

For theimmedaite delivery of your consignment ok. and also forwardthe
information below to them

1.Your full name
2.Yourage
3.House/office address
4.Phone number
5.A copy of yourpassport
6.Consignment Registration NO. EG51735.
7.Code Number 024079.

Your Faithfully,

Dr. Don Smith

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam