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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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22993473848 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "piusmichael01 Gazeta.pl" <piusmichael01@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: piusmichael01@myway.com
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 12:39:21 +0200
Subject: Personal to you /Investment.


*Personal to you /Investment.*

*Hello,*

*l am Mr. Pius Michael based in cotonou, Rep.of Benin, l have
$32,000,000USD=(Twenty Eight million United states dollars) inheritance fund
from my late brother in a Private Equity Investment Trust Company for safe
keeping here in Cotonou.*

*I am willing to offer you 25% of the total fund if you can assist me in
transfering this fund to your country .I wishes to invest in a stable
economy.*

*My interest is in companies with potentials for rapid growth in long terms.
My name is Mr.Pius Michael. A junior brother of late chief Williams Michael.
*

*I am interested in placing part of this fund in your company,if your
country`s bi-laws allows foreign investment. My phone number is
+229-9347-3848.*

*I wait your urgent response.
Regards,
Mr.Pius Michael
+229-9347-3848.
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam