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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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• What can you do when you receive 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)
  • "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.
  • +229939918751 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "mark henry" <markhenry003@ig.com.br>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:33:24 +0200
Subject: EMAIL THE COMPANY


Dear friend,


It has been long we communicate last, am so sorry for the delay, i mean your
cheque of ($800.000.00) that my boss asked me to mail to you as soon as you
request for, but due to some minure issue you fails to respond at the
aproprate time, and presently the cheque is with me here in BENIN REPUBLIC.

Though i had i new contact from a friend of mine who works with one the
security company here in BENIN REPUBLIC that will deliver your cheque at
your door step with a cheeper rate, which the company said that it will cost
you the sum of $85, so you have to register with them now.
Below is thier contact information.
Attention,.... Dr.Larry Angela
email address, worldcourierservicebenin2007@live.fr
Telephone.......+229-93 99-18-75

1YOUR FULL NAME............................
2YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS..................
3YOUR OCCUPATION.........................
4YOUR FAX/PHONE NUMBER..................
5YOUR PASPOROT.................................
6YOUR COUNTRY....................................
7YOUR AGE............................................

Please do get back to me as soon as you have contacted the security company
so that i can be able to submit your cheque to them immediately.

Thank you.
Mr Mark Henry

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam