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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +22993235852 (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.
  • woldcourierservice_company@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "ebenezer" <ebecrist1@myway.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2007 14:09:54 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Happy new year ,


Hellow My Dear Friend , Merry Xmass and Happy new year , It has been long we communicate last, am so sorry for the delay, i mean your cheque of ($1.500.000.00) that my boss asked me to mail to you as soon as you request for, but due to some minure issue you fails to respond at the aproprate time, and presently the cheque is with me here in BENIN REPUBLIC. Though i had i new contact from a friend of mine who works with one the security company here in BENIN REPUBLIC that will deliver you your cheque at your door step with a cheeper rate, which the company said that it will cost you the sum of $85, so you have to register with them now.Below is thier email address, woldcourierservice_company@yahoo.co.uk and the Directors name is Dr G. Chikeson Telephone.......+229-9323-5852Fax...................+229-341-1221 Please do get back to me as soon as you have contacted the security company so that i can be able to submit your cheque to them immediately. Thank you.Mr Ebenezer Crist

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam