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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned 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. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • abrahammartins2@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "FAITH MATHS" <fmaths11@ig.com.br>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:29:30 +0100
Subject: CONTACT MY ACCOUNT OFFICER FOR YOUR COMPENSATION//


*Dear Friend,*

**

*Longest time,I hope all is well together with your
family,if so glory be to God almighty.Well,Sorry to
hear this news and please understand that the fault is
not from me.I'm happy to inform you about my success in
getting those funds transfered with the cooperation of
a new partner from Poland. We were paid from
Eco Bank Plc in cotonou benin republic.*

**

*Presently I'm in Poland for investment projects
with my own share of the total sum. Meanwhile,i didn't
forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in
transferring this funds despite we could not conclude
it.I have decided to compensate you.*

**

*Contact my account officer in Eco Bank Plc in cotonou,
Benin Republic,his name is Mr Abraham Martins
on his e-mail address(**abrahammartins2@yahoo.fr* <abrahammartins2@yahoo.fr>
*) I
have raised a certified bank draft in your name to the
tune of Two million,five hundred thousand united states
dollars as compensation for all the past efforts and
attempts to assist me in the transaction.*

**

*I appreciated your efforts at that time very much. so
feel free and get in touched with my account office Mr
Abraham Martins and instruct him on where to send the
draft to you at your own expense as I have done enough
by allocating such amount to you. Even my current
partner is not happy that i have to allocate such
amount to you bearing in mind your nonchalant attitude
to the transaction at its crutial stage.*

**

*I am very busy here because of the investment projects
which I and the new partner are handling, finally,
remember that I have forwarded instruction to my
account officer on your behalf. So feel free to get in
touch with Mr Abraham Martins he will inform me
immidiately he has oblidged you the fund.*

**

*Best Regards,*

**

*Barr Faith Maths.*

**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam