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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
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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:
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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.
  • +22993145379 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: ednawilliams@aarhusmail.dk
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:51:50 +0200
Subject: Hello Good Day

Hello Good Day

How are you along with your family and business with hope everything is alright ? I am writing to inform you that atlast that this chambers were able to pay the fees and the charges for your cashier Cheque. And i gone to the bank where the cheque is been deposited as you know that we can not keep such a vital document in our office to confirm if the Cheque has expired or about to expire and Mr.Mohammed Saleh the BANK OF AFRICA told me that before the cheque will get to your that it will be expired.

However, all the necessary arrangements of delivering the funds cash 1.5million to your country has been concluded with the courier firm,(UNITED PARCEL SERVICE BENIN) Mr.Mohammed Saleh the Director of BANK OF AFRICA here will now have to package the total sum of the cash for me. And he also agreed to assist me to Register the Consignment with (UNITED PARCEL SERVICE BENIN) as a family treasuer. Infact I thank God for all the worries and moves i made,that at last everything has been done.

As for our agreement with the (UNITED PARCEL SERVICE BENIN) they promised that your consignment will leave this Country on any moment from now,But the Director of the (UNITED PARCEL SERVICE BENIN) said that they would need your contacts informations to enable them meet up with you immediately the Diplomat Agents arrived in your Country.

ATTENTION;MR.TONNY THOMAS.
TEl; +229-931-453-79
EMAIL; upscsbenin@post.ro

Please,I will advise that you Send to them all your contacts information to enable them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your consignemnt.

Below is what they would require from you,which you need to forward to them immediately.

1.YOUR FULL NAME========
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS======.
3.YOUR CURRENT CELL TELEPHONE NUMBER====.
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE====.
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE=====
6.COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER===770891
7.CODE NUMBER====GT 05784

Note,The courier firm did not know the contents of the consignment, so never you inform them of the contents of the consignment as it was registered as a family treasure. so they dont know the contents at all, this is to avoid them delaying your consignment.You can as well call the Director of courier firm on this telephone number +229-931-453-79 to discuss about it with him.

Thanks for your cooperation as i wait to hear from you.

Best Regards.

Mr. EDNA WILLIAMS

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam