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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "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. 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 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.
  • +22993992848 (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.
  • impexdiplomaticcourieragency@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: jean boni <jeanboni032@hotmail.fr>
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 13:52:11 +0100
Subject: NOTE AND CONTACT URGENTLY



Dear Friend,
It has been long we communicated last. I am so sorry for the delay, Iwant to Inform you that your cheque of ($800.000.00) which my bossasked me to mail to you is still with me but due to some circumstancesyou failed to respond at the appropriate time and presently the chequeis with me here in Benin Republic.

Notwithstanding,I have new contact from a friend of mine who workswith one security company here in Benin Republic that will deliver yourcheque to your door step at a cheeper rate as the company said that itwill only cost you the sum of $97. On this note, I want you to contact themand register with them now so that your cheque will be delivered to youwithout further delay.While contacting them, include your phone number andaddress to avoid wrongful delivery.

You should also tell the company to give you the Informationon how you will send the delivery fee of $97 immediately you contactthem for the delivery of your cheque of $800.000.00 to your door step.Below is their contact information

Email address: impexdiplomaticcourieragency@yahoo.fr

Contact person: (Dr.Frank Ikuku)Direct Cell.......+229-93992848.Fax....................+229-97620 123.

Please do get back to me as soon as you have contacted the securitycompany so that I can submit your cheque to them immediately.

Thank you.Mr.Jean Boni.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam