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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.

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)
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (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 "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.
  • +22997611254 (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.
  • fedex_couriercompany11@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "johnherry9 Gazeta.pl" <johnherry9@gazeta.pl>
Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 04:40:59 +0200
Subject: CONTACT FEDEX COURIER SERVICE COMPANY!!!


Dear Friend.

How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have Paid the fee for
your Cheque Draft. And I went to the bank to confirm if the Cheque has
expired or getting near to expire and Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Central
Bank of West African States(BCEAO) told me that before the cheque will get
to your hand that it will expire.

So I told him to cash the US$800, 000.00 United States Dollars to cash
payment to avoid losting this funds.However, all the necessary arrangement
of delivering the US$800, 000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS in cash was made
with FEDEX COURIER SERVICES LTD. in Cotonou Benin Republic,

Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Central Bank of West African States(BCEAO)
Cotonou have to package the sum of US$800, 000.00 in cash for me. Then he
also agreed to help me to Register the Consignment with FEDEX COURIER
SERVICES LTD. Infact I'm happy that every movement I made goes normally.

As for our agreement with the FEDEX COURIER SERVICES LTD. they promised
that your consignment will leave this Country on monday next week,But the
Director of the FEDEX COURIER SERVICES LTD. said that they need your
contacts informations to able them meet up with you immediately the Diplomat
Agent arrived to your Country.

Please write a letter of application to the given address below.

ATTN: Mr.Jim Victor
EMAIL: (fedex_couriercompany11@yahoo.fr)
Call Phone +229-97 61 12 54

Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they
need from you.

1.YOUR FULL NAME
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE

Please make sure you send this needed infoïmation to the Director general of
FEDEX COURIER SERVICES LTD, with their address given stated above.

Note.The FEDEX COURIER SERVICES LTD.
don't know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a BOX of an Africa
cloths. They don't know it contents money. this is to avoid them delaying
with the BOX. don't let them know that is money that is in that Box.

I am waiting for your urgent response.

Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Mr.John Herry

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam