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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "federal republic of benin" (Benin is no Federal Republic)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: martin alberto <martinbalberto011@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mart_alberto1@yahoo.com.br>
Date: Mon, 28 May 2007 17:43:14 +0100
Subject: Good Day



My Dear Friend

This letter must come to you as a big surprise, but I believe it is only a day that people meet and become great friends and business partners. My name is Mr Martin Alberto , I am 55 years old. Presently the Director of finance, in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Republic of Benin. I have worked in this Ministry for years and I will retire this year to start my own business. Now, I need your very kind assistance for the transfer of Fifteen Million United State Dollars (US$15m) to your account. Source: The sum arose from over-inflated contract awarded by My Ministry to a foreign firm. We have fashioned out a foolproof plan to successfully transfer the funds to an account belonging to a foreigner who will act as the beneficiary. We want to front you as the beneficiary to this funds. This business is safe, 100 % free risk and confidential and my colleagues have trust in me in getting a foreign partner for the transfer of this fund. I intend to invest my own share in any profitable business in your country, so that after my retirement I will not suffer. If this proposal is acceptable to you, and also include your private telephone number for easy communication and directives. Thanks and God bless You.

Yours Truly,

Mr. Martin Alberto
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam