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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
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• 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:

• 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, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: ben kenechukwu <benskenechukwu@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:41:11 +0100
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY


Dear Friend,
Sorry for any inconveniences. Well, I just want to use this medium to thank you very much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the inheritance funds, without any positive outcome. I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds with the help of a new partner from THAILAND.Contact my secretary in Cotonou De federal Republic of Benin because I have left the whole instruction to her on your behalf and instruct him where to send the U.S$1,200.000.00 with out any further delay for your compensation. Her name is Selena Hassan
Email: selena_hassan23@yahoo.frNB:NOTE :BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS YOU WILL SEND TO MYSECRETARY
(1) YOUR FULL NAMES(2) YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS(3) YOUR DIRECT CELPHONE NUMBER AND HOUSE PHONE
In this moment, I'm very busy here in THAILAND because of the investment projects, which the new partner and I are having at hand. So feel free to get in touch with Selena Hassan to send the cheque to you without any delay.
Regards
BARR.BENSON KENECHUKWU
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam