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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:
  • "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. )
  • "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. )
• 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.
  • +22993000931 (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.
  • highcommision.british@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "collins eze" <collins_eze2@ig.com.br>
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 11:24:37 +0200
Subject: BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONS


Attention,
The BRITISH High Commission in Nigeria,Benin Republic,Ghana and Bokinafaso
received a report of scam against you and other British/US citizens and
Malaysia Etc. whom the country of Nigeria/Benin,Bokinafaso And Ghana have
recompensed you due to meeting held with Four countries Government and the
world high commissions against fraud activities by the Four country
Citizens.

Your name was among those scammed as listed by the West Africa Financial
Intelligent Unit (WAFIU). A recompensation has been issued out in Certified
Bank Drafts to all the affected victims and has been already in distribution
to all the bearers. Your draft was among those that was reported undelivered
as at on Monday this week and we wish to advise you to see to the
instructions of the Commitee to make sure you receives your draft
immediately for your depositing into your account.

WAFIU further told us that the use of Nigeria Couriers and the Benin was
abolished due to interception activities noticed in the above
mNigeriaentioned courier services in Benin, and Ghana and thereby have made
a concrete arrangement with the DHL Courier Company for a safe delivery to
your door-step once the beneficairy meets up the demand of the conveyancy.

We advise that you do the needful to make sure the WAFIU dispatches your
recompense on Monday this week. You are assured of the safety of your draft
and availability and be advised that you should stop further contacts with
all the fake lawyers and security companies who in collaboration scammed
you.please kindly contact us with this:

E-mail Address (highcommision.british@yahoo.fr)

or Call us at: +229 93 00 09 31 immediately to check if the delivery date
suits you.

Yours in Service,

Dr.COLLINS EZE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam