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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:
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
  • "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 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.
  • mercyubanna@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "DR.MRS MERCY UBANNA" <me_con106@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <mercyubanna@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 20:52:29 +0100
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED.



From Dr.MRS MERCY UBANNA.Auditing and Account managerWest African Bank BeninPhone:+229 93 00 02 01.Email:mercyubanna@yahoo.fr
Dear Friend,
I am Dr MRS MERCY UBANNA, the director in charge of auditing and accounting section of West African Bank Benin,Cotonou,Republic of Benin, West Africa, and also a special account officer of Mr. Marcus Brenner,an American.He was a seasoned contractor with Benin Cement Company, Cotonou, who unfortunately died in a plane crash of Union Transport Africaines Flight Boeing 727 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin on 25th December, 2003.
You will read more stories about the crash on visiting this website:1.www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3555201,00.html2.www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/
Before his death on the 25th December 2003, Mr.Marcus Brenner has a fixed deposit account with the bank and no other person know about this account or have any information relating to this account.The account has no beneficiary nor did next-of-kin other than him and my investigation reveal that his supposed next-of-kin died along with him in the crash.Since then, I have made several enquiries to locate any of his extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you.
I'm contacting you to assist in remittance of a dormant fund as the next of kin left behind by Mr.Marcus Brenner so as not to allow the bank confiscate or declare the funds unserviceable according to Benin Republic financial law on unclaimed bills which the government usually map out for the purchase of ammunitions which are the major course of connflicts in the west of Africa.
Consequently, I'm seeking your consent to present you as the next-of-kin of the deceased so that the outstanding fixed deposit (US$32.3M) will be remitted into any designated accounbt of yours to be shared by both of us in the ratio of 50% to me and 40% for you and 10% for any expenses that will be incured during the transaction like phone bills etc.I have all necessary legal documents to back up this claim.
All that is required of you is absolute honesty, total commitment, co-operation & absolute confidentiality.Be rest-assured that this transaction will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect both parties from breach of the law and 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 this deal.
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 may deem helpful.
Thank you for your cooperation until I read from you.
Sincerely yours,Dr.MRS MERCY UBANNAemail:mercyubanna@yahoo.fr
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam