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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
  • +22997093379 (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.
  • fedexexpress@list.ru

Fraud email example:

From: "postoffice postoffice" <postoffice06@klikni.cz>
Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 18:56:40 +0200
Subject: YOUR BANK DRAFT IS WAITING DELIVERY.


Dear Friend,

Longest time,

I have deposited your certified bank draft of $800.000.00 dollars with the
FEDEX EXPRESS INTERNATIONAL here in Benin Republic because i have waited
enough to hear from you, so that it can be wired through Eco bank but
because of late delay i now decide to deposit the draft with the FEDEX with
your information as you listed it.

I paid them their delivery charges & insurance coverage fees, meanwhile the
only fee to pay again is their security safe keeping fee which is $155.00
dollars. I will travel to IRAQ to see my boss and i will not come back till
next month. Therefore i will advise you to contact them with their contact
information listed below to avoid them increase their security safe keeping
fee.

I package the bank draft inside a magazine then i told the shipment officer
is ordinary African magazine that I want to deliver to my friend in so that
no delay unless you delay to send them their Security fee of $155.00
dollars.

So Below is their contact address including their email with the number of
the parcel.

Attention: Dr.Ike Dominic
Shipment Officer
E-mail: fedexexpress@list.ru
Tel: +229 97 09 33 79
No of parcel ;# Eg2272
Code Number: 01721457

Also below is the information they needed to deliver the bank draft to you
to avoid wrong delivery as i gave them your delivery address but you have to
re-confirm it to them again.

Full name......................
Home address............
Country....................
Telphone...............

Please make sure those information are complete as they promised that once
they receive their security fee that within 2 to 3 working days your bank
draft will arrived at your door step according to the shipment officer.

Note that the FEDEX EXPRESS INTERNATIONAL don't know the contents of the
parcel, I registered it as an African magazine they don't know it contents
bank draft inside this is to avoid them delaying the delivery. So when
contact them don't mention any thing about bank draft ok.

You can even call the shipment officer to confirm +229 97 09 33 79.

Let me know immediately you receive your Draft.

Remain blessed and enjoy your funds.

Thanks.

Mrs.Grace Morgan.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam