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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: AUSTINE UDE <austine_ude@yahoo.dk>
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:40:31 +0100 (CET)
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED


Dear Ms millicent,

Thanks for your mail,The cheque was dropped by my Boss and instructed me to send the cheque to you on his behalf.So there is no disappointment in this case.

I will let you know that this deliverying fee is the only thing holding the transfer of the cheque. Immediately i receive this fee i will go ahead and register your cheque for onward delivery to your destinated address.

I want you to trust me , Here is my personal informations
Address: no 234 Akpakpa
City: Cotonou
Country: Benin Republic
Phone: 229-938-114-28 or 229-936-945-66

This is the informations which you are going to use and make the payment via western union money transfer. You can make the payment in the name of my personal assistant.

Receiver' name: Emmanuel Mbonu Obunso
City: Cotonou
Country:Benin Republic
Text Question: what color
Answer: white

And send to me MTCN to enable me pick up the money and go and register your cheque in any of your choosen choice of courier company.

Thanks and Remain blessed
Austin Ude


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Alt i én. Få Yahoo! Mail med adressekartotek, kalender og notesblok.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam