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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

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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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +22997431441 (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.
  • gmrjacobtome45@yahoo.com.hk
  • mrjacobtome222@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: mrjacobtome100@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:41:48 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GET BACK TO ME


§Ú¦³·sªº¹q¶l¦a§}¡I§A²{¥i¹q¶lµ¹§Ú¡Gmrjacobtome45@yahoo.com.hk



- From Mr Jacob P.K TomeAuditing and Account managerCentral Bank Of West AfricaPhone:+229-97431441Email: mrjacobtome222@yahoo.com.hk Dear friend, I am Mr Jacob Tome, the director in charge of auditing and accounting section of the Central Bank of West Africa (BCEAO) Republic of BeninWest Africa, and also the special accounting officer to late Mr. Brett harwood ,a forigner. Hewas a seasoned importer of texiles and a contractor with Benin Cement Company,Cotonou, whounfortunately died in a plane crash of Union Transport Africaines Flight Boeing 727 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin on 25th December, 2003Before his death on the 25th December 2003, Mr.Brett has a fixed deposit account with the bank and no other person knows about this account or have any information relating to thisaccount.The account has no beneficiary nor did he leave anyone as the next-of-kin other than himand my investigation reveal that his supposed next-of-kin died along with him in the crashSince then, I have made several enquiries to locate any of his extended relatives, this has alsoproved unsuccessful. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact youI'm contacting you to assist in remittance of a dormant fund as the next of kin left behind byMr. Brett so as not to allow the bank confiscate or declare the funds unserviceable according toBenin Republic financial law on unclaimed bills which the government usually map out for thepurchase of ammunitions which are the major course of connflicts in the west of AfricaConsequently, I'm seeking your consent to present you as the next-of-kin of the deceased so thatthe outstanding fixed deposit (US$6.5M) will be remitted into any designated account of yours tobe shared by both of us in the ratio of 60% to me and 40% for you. I have all necessary legaldocuments to back up this claim. All that is required of you is absolute honesty, totalcommitment, co-operation & absolute confidentiality. Be rest-assured that this transaction willbe executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect both parties from breach of the lawand it is 100% risk free and attracts no authorities and every information you will require as the next of kin will be forwarded to you after your final acceptance to help me champion thisdeal. If this proposal is acceptable to you, kindly email your following information to me a. Full Name(s) b. Direct phone & fax number(s) c. Your direct email & any other information you maydeem helpful. Thank you for your cooperation until I read from you.You may also reach me at myprivate mailbox and call me for further information on +229 97431441. Sincerely yours, Mr Jacob KTome (mrjacobtome222@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam