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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
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• 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.

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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)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "JAMES GREEN" <jamesgreen2@ig.com.br>
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:15:12 +0200
Subject: Contact the courier company for your package


SECRETARY OFFICE)
BP 1818 COCOTOMY ABEDMEY.
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.

Dear Friend,

I have been waiting for you to come down here to pick up your Bank
Draft,But i did not hear from you.Then I went and deposited the Draft with a
Courier company named EXPRESS COURIER SERVICE here in Benin Republic,because
I am travelling to return next month end.You have to Contact the EXPRESS
COURIER & SECURITY COMPANY with the registration
number,independent/mtm/ped/214/2008 and the security code of 883kp,to know
when they will deliver your package.I have paid for the delivering charges
and insurance fee.The only money you have to send to them is their security
keeping fee of $110 to received your package.Don't be deceived by any body
this is their Contact informations.

Attn:Dr.Erick Akone
Address:BP 2005 STE CECEILE AVENUE
Cotonou Republic Du Benin.
TE L:+(229) 97395975
EMAIL:express-courier2008@live.fr <EMAIL%3Aexpress-courier2008@live.fr>

Try to contact them as soon as possible to avoid increasing the security
keeping fee.I gave them your delivering address but you have to reconfirm
your full name,phone,residential address and country,to them to avoid any
wrong delivery.Let me know as soon as you receive your package,And I am very
sorry for any inconvinence this might have caused you but remember that it
was'nt my fault because I waited for you to come down before I was called by
my Director.The amount you shall send to them is $110.00 only.Let me know
as soon as you receive package.


Regards,
Mr.James Green
Secretary

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam