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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)
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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:
  • "necessary legal documents" (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. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "million dollars" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22996070950 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Akofa Gomez" <barr.akofagomez1@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: barr.akofagomez@administrativos.com
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:35:32 +0530 (IST)
Subject: A Letter To:Yvonne Hoogland



Barrister Akofa Gomez
01 BP 1199
Cotonou,
République du Bénin
Tel :+229 9607 0950.

Attn: Hoogland

I am
Barrister  Akofa Gomez, the attorney at law to Late Micheal Hoogland, a national
of your country, who used to work as the Director  of Société Nationale de
Commercialisation des Produits Pétroliers  (SONACOP) Oil Company in Benin
Republic West Africa Here in after shall be Referred to as my client. On the
25th of December 2003, my client, His wife and their three Children were
involved in a plane crash. All occupants of the plane Unfortunately lost their
lives.Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of
my clients extended relatives this has also proved Unsuccessful.

After
these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His last name over the
Internet, to locate any member of his Family hence I contacted you. I have
contacted you to assist in Repatriating the money and property left behind by my
client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank
here.

These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the "
ATLANTIQUE  BANK BENIN  " An affiliate of Commercial  Bank of Africa where the
Deceased had an account valued  at about $18.5 million dollars.  The Bank has
issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account
confiscated.

Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for
over 4 years now I seek your consent To present you as the next of kin of the
deceased since you have The same last name so that the proceeds of this account
valued at $18.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can Share
the money.50% to me and 50% to you I will procure all Necessary legal documents
that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest
cooperation to enable us seeing this Deal through.

I guarantee that this
will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law.

Click the website below and view the Plane crash
..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/photo_gallery/3348445.stm

And
the way we are going to achieve this,  I  need the following information from
you,

Your Full Name and Address,
Your Age, Occupation and
Position,
Your Telephone and  Mobile  for Communication
Purpose.

Looking forward to hear from you.

Best
Regards,
Barrister Akofa Gomez
Tel :+229 9607 0950.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam