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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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. )
  • "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)
  • "courier service" (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.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +22998147480 (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.
  • fedexcourierexpressb@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: =?UTF-8?Q?guyedemba2?= <guyedemba2@lajt.hu>
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:11:39 +0200
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?CONTACT_FEDEX_FOR_YOUR_BANK_DRAFT_NOW?=


Greetings! It quite a long time  I have been trying to reach for the funds , Your Telephone is not reachable  and i have made a arrangement for a Confirm-able Bank Draft of $1,200,000.00 USD. But I did not hear from you since then. I have deposited the Bank Draft with the FedEx Courier Service Africa,  for immediate dispatch , I will be out of the country for a 3 Months  and I will not come back till October  2008. You have  to contact the  FedEx Courier  Service West Africa , As soon as possible to know when they will deliver your package to you because of the expiration date. Noted that, I have  paid  for the delivering charges, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fees for the Bank draft, The only Required charges by FedEx Courier to deliver your Draft direct to your postal Address in your country of residence is ($289.00 US) Dollars only .For the Security Keeping Fees  of your Parcel.
 
Again do not be deceived by any body to pay any other money except $289.00US Dollars. I would have paid that but they said no because they do not know when you will contact there office.
 
You have to contact the  FedEx Dispatch Director, with payment information via western Union or Money Gramm for the delivery of your draft. Make payment to ($289.00 US) Dispatch Director
Mr Luke Onyibor A.
Address. Kilometer 24 Cotonou Express Way,
City. Cotonuo.
Country.Benin Republic.Email Address:  fedexcourierexpressb@gmail.com
Telephone:  +229 9814 7480 Finally, make sure that you re-confirmed your Postal address and Direct telephone number to them again to avoid any mistake on the Delivery. And request for your  tracking number to enable you track your package and to know the day of delivery. Try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them for Security Keeping fees of $289.00 US Dollars for their immediate action. You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive your Draft.
 
Yours Faithfully,
C/O Guye Demba,
Exchange and payment department.
 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam