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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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)
  • "transferred into your bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "chief auditor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned 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: akumegeorge@elvigiaensenada.com
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:39:29 +0100
Subject: RE From Mr Adams

Dear Friend,

Please I want to introduce myself and this business
opportunity to you.My name is Mr.Akume George the chief
auditor and an accountant with Credit Bank Benin Cotonou
Benin Republic

I wish to know if we can work together.I would like you to
apply as the next of kin to my deceased client who made a
fixed deposit amount of USD12.2M to my bank.

He died without any registered next of kin/account
beneficiary and as such the funds now have an open
beneficiary mandate.

If you are interested you do let me know so that I can give
you comprehensive details on what we are to do to have this
fund transferred into your bank account.
I urgently hope to get your response as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Mr.Akume George

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam