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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:
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22997444586 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Dossou Fadaya" <d.fadaya47@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: df_chamber@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:41:50 +0200
Subject: Reply & Call Me, Tel: +229 97444586.


*BARRISTER DOSSOU FADAYA,**
ATTORNEYS & SOLICITORS AT LAW.
CARRE/ 106 RUE DU AVELEKETE,
COTONOU- BENIN REPUBLIC WEST AFRICA .
DIRECT TEL: +229 97444586. {24-HRS}

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Dossou Fadaya, a solicitor at law. *

*I am the personal attorney to Mr. Peter Kidd, a foreigner, who used to
work as a Director of Société Nationale de Commercialisation des Produits
Pétroliers (SONACOP) Oil Company in Benin Republic West Africa , Here in
after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2002, my
client, his wife and their only son were involved in a car accident along
Lome express road.**

All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I
have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients
extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several
unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet,
to see if I can locate any member of his family, hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the assets and Capital valued
at US$7.5 million left behind by my client before they get confiscated or
declared unserviceable by the Security Finance Firm where this huge deposits
were lodged.

The said Security & Finance Company has issued me a notice to provide the
next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next fourteen {14}
official working days. Since I have been unsuccessfully in locating the
relatives for over 5 years now,*

*I seek your consent to present you as the NEXT OF KIN (beneficiary) to my
late Clint, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.**

All I require from you is your trust and honest cooperation to enable us
sees this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under
a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

You will have for yourself a total of 40% of the total sum, while the
balance of 60% will be mine. You are therefore required to send the
following details to me** immediately to enable me start the processing of
the release of the fund in your name if you are intrested.**

1.) Your Complete Names :........*
*1.) Your house Address:..............
2.) Your phone & fax numbers: ......*
*3.) Your Occupation: .........*
*4.) And a Scan Copy Of your Passport / Drivers Linsense.**

The above stipulated phone number of mine is available 24hrs to
receive your call for further briefings.

I am waiting to hear from you soon.

Best regards,

Barrister Dossou Fadaya.*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam