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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:

• 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:
  • "hundred thousand united states 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.
  • +22997480932 (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.
  • barrister_egutete_phi@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "barrister Philip E.Ferenc" <barri_philip@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 11:54:21 +0100
Subject: can i trust you?

FROM BARRISTER PHILIP EGUTETE M. FERENC
Head, Egutete legal house firm,
Industriel Quartier des Elites,
Cotonou-Benin Republic.
Private E-Mail:barrister_egutete_phi@yahoo.com
Private Tel:+2299748 0932.



Dear Friend,

I am BarristerPhilip Egutete Ferenc, private attorney to Late Mark Campos,
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 December 25th 2001, my client, His wife and their three Children were
involved in a car accident at Cotonou-Abome express-road. All occupants of
the vehicle Unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several
enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but
all efforts proved unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His name over
the Internet to locate any of his Family's member hence I contacted you. I
have contacted you to assist in Repatrating his fund valued 11.5 Million
dollars (Eleven Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) left
behind by my late client before they get confiscated or declared
unserviceable by the Continental Bank Cotonou Republic of Benin where this
huge amount were deposited.

The Bank has issued me a notice to provide his relative or have the account
confiscated, Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for
over four years. For the fact that I have been unsuccesfull in locating the
relatives for over 4 years now, I seek the consent to present you as the
rightful next of kin to my late client,since you have the same last name
with him, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you and then
you and me can Share the money 50% to me and 50% to you.


I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up
for claim, all I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us
see this transaction through, I guarantee that this will be executed under
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Call me immediately you receive this mail on +229 9748 0932. also get back
to me with the following informations for proper Identifications.
Your Full Name and Address,
Your Age,
Occupation and Position,
Your Telephone Mobile and Fax Number for Communication
Purpose.
Please get back to me through my office email address
I await your Call and reply ASAP. reply this mail to my private mail:


Best Regards,
Barrister Philip Egutete Ferenc
Private Tel:+2299748 0932.
Private E-Mail:barrister_egutete_phi@yahoo.com

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam