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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

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:
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "george attaigallah" <georgeattaigallah01@fastwebmail.it>
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 17:51:40 +0100
Subject: PLEASE I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE.


*GEORGEATTAIGALLAH & CO.CHAMBERS
ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW
FEDERAL HIGH COURT BENIN
WHITE-HOUSE BUILDING,
14 DEGBAGO CRESCENT,
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.*

* *

*COMPLIMENTS,


I George Attaigallah have decided to bestow this trust on you, which I pray
you will not ignore or betray.I appologize in advance for any inconviniences
this may cause you.

I am Barr George Attaigallah the Personal Attorney to late Mr George
K.Marshal, who was a contractor here in Benin Rep. Who lost his life on
December 2005 with his entire family perished in theAir-Crash on board From
Cotonou.

**http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3348109.stm*<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3348109.stm>
*As a matter of fact, my client made a fixed deposit Amount, valued the sum
of
(US$20.900.000.00usd) with a Bank here in Benin Rep, and upon the duration
time of their agreement,his bank started contacting him but no response.

Conseqently, the Bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin to the
deceased as his personal attorney or have his account confiscated after four
years as it is in the law of this country Since then,

I have made several contacts to His Country's Embassy in order to locate any
of my clients extended relatives which had also been unsuccessful. Since I
have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over two years now,

I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since
none of his relatives were no where to be found so that the proceeds of this
account valued the sum of US$20.900.000.00usd could be transfered into
youraccount,

Thereafter, we will both share it in percentage according to our
contributions to
boost the success of this great transaction. I have all the necessary legal
documents that can be used to back up all the claims we will make. All I
require is your honest cooperation to enable us make this great benefiting
transaction successfully.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any branch of the law. Please get in touch with me as
soon as possible. Also to enable us discuss further the progress of this
business.
With best wishes,

Hon. George Attaigallah, Esq,
Senior advocate of Benin (SAB).
pleas contact me with this my email:
**barr_georgeattaigallah@live.com*<barr_georgeattaigallah@live.com>
*.*

* *

**

* *

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam