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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "stamp duty" (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. )
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "cheque " (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.
  • +22990068924 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "OFFICE CHAMBERS" <officechamba58@legwork.com.ng>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:21:40 +0200
Subject: GREETING TO YOU.


Dear Friend,

Good day to you my dear friend, how are you doing today I hope fine, I' have
benign waiting for your since in respect of your ($800.000.00) Dollars
CERTIFIED CASHIER'S CHEQUE, Just three hours ago I went to dhl office here
in Benin, and deposited the CHEQUE with Dhl Benin, On your behalf.

Because, I am traveling to Paraguay, this night for urgent massage and will
not come back till end of the year, Frankly speaking your ($800.000.00)
DOLLARS CERTIFIED CASHIER'S CHEQUE, is presently with the DHL, Though I had
a contact from a friend of mine who works with (DHL) here who will assist
you with the delivery of your CASHIER'S CHEQUE to your door step at a
cheaper rate, so contact the Dhl office in Benin on this below information:

Contact Person: Dr. Frank
E-mail: glcs_27@voila.fr
Phone: +22990068924

Ask them to send you the total sum of ($800,000.00) Eight Hundred Thousand
CERTIFIED CASHIER'S CHEQUE, which by Boss, kept for your compensation, As
for my agreement with the (DHL) they promised that your CHEQUE will leave
this Country on receiving there Stamp duty fee from you.

So you have to register with them now, Be very fast to contact them, while
contacting them, do not files to quote your parcel registration number
(DHLGCS/3128/BPR).

Regards,
MR. WILLIAM COLE
SECRETARY

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam