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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)
  • "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)
  • "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned 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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • sunday_emm@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:50:19 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend,


=C2=A0Dear Friend,

It is my pleasure to reach you after our unsuccessful attempt on our busi=
ness transaction. Well, I just want to use this medium of time to thank y=
ou very much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the fund=
s.

I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds w=
ith the help of a new partner from London Mr.Chris Rayner. Everything was=
perfectly done because we strike a deal with one of the Lady Accountant =
who works with the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), and she rendered a =
tremendous help to us.

My new partner initiated this idea and everything worked out successfully=
. In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the funds=
, I have decided to compensate you with the sum of total amount of one mi=
llion five hundred thousand USD($1.500,000.00 usd) in a Cashier's cheque.=
This is from my own share. I did this simply to show appreciation to you=
for your kind support and assistance even though we couldn't succeed due=
to some unforseen circumstances.

Presently I am in South Korea for investment with my own share under the =
advice of my partner In the light of the above, you are therefore to cont=
act my personal secretary in Cotonou Benin Republic his name is Mr,Sunday=
Emm=C2=A0 and do send him your contact address where you want the cheque=
to be sent to you,

His e-mail address (sunday_emm@yahoo.com)=20
so feel free to get in touch with him to send the cheque to you without a=
ny delay.

I will advice you to send him the following information's:=20
1,YOUR FULL NAME.=20
2,YOUR PHYSICAL ADDRESS.. ..=20
3,YOUR PRIVATE=C2=A0 PHONE=C2=A0 NUMBER...

your best Regards,
Mr, Stanohan

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam