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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:
  • "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "clearance certificate" (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. )
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
• 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.
  • +22998281255 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • telex_deptcbb@ubbi.com

Fraud email example:

From: "lawson william" <lawsonwilliam045@legwork.com.ng>
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:18:19 +0100
Subject: YOUR FUND RELEASE.


Attn: Beneficiary

I am REV DR Lawson William, the driector of Credit Bank Benin. This is to
bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money
Transaction originated from any part of African/ Europe and Asia counties
etc. as Contract payment, Fund inheritance or Lottery Winning due to
Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies In
releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money Laundry
activities going on world wide.

The World Bank Group has Mandated the Credit Bank Benin via my Office to
release funds to beneficiaries through Cash delivery, Hence Your Name
appears as one of The fund beneficiaries whom their fund was successfully
cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry and your money will be
released to you Through International Cashier's Bank Draft that will be
cashable from any International Bank in your country or cash delivery been
the only way you would receive Your money to avoid paying excess charges.

As regard to this arrangement, you are advised to contact the telex
director Dr Duke Jonathan through his direct email : (
telex_deptcbb@ubbi.com)

CONTACT DR DUKE JONATHAN WITH THE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW.
TELEX DIRECTOR CREDIT BANK BENIN
NAME: Dr Duke Jonathan
DIRECT EMAIL: (telex_deptcbb@ubbi.com)
DIRECT TEL: +229 98281255

You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers, Your
complete name and your mailing address to Dr Duke Jonathan for Immediate
release of your fund to you, Most importantly be aware that two Million five
hundred thousand Dollars Only ($2.5million) was located to you, be also
informed That the Fund Approvals and authorization document Including
Antiterrorist Clearance Certificate was issued in your name and has been
handed over to Dr Duke Jonathan to release to you.

Finally, Dr Duke Jonathan is standby to receive your communication and
Release your fund to you through Cash delivery Without further delay. Make
your contact directly to him through Email contact any time because we are
working 24 Hours to be able to meet with the mandate given by the World
Bank.

Thanks for your maximum cooperation.
REV DR Lawson William

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam