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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
  • "ecowas " (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.
  
• 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.
  • +22993408114 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: godwin godson <godwingodson15@hotmail.fr>
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:47:11 +0100
Subject: CONTACT ATM PAYMENT CENTRE


External Review Committee on Debt Statistics And fund audit Balance Debt Statistics And Fund Audit, IMF-World Bank Collaboration
18 Dec. 2007. Attention Beneficiary, We wish to inform you that your overdue payment has be scheduled for payment to you through certified ATM Card which you will be only required to proceed to any ATM Cash Point to withdraw $10,000 per day till your complete payment fund are completed. This development was as result of new payment policy revolution of 2007 carried out by the World Financial Body in collaboration with World Bank Audit unit and United Nations Policy maker unit under world bank new year payment constitution. This effort is to help the international monetary fund restrict and monitor every international transaction to avoid money laundering activities and will help us to fight against fraudulent activities from scam experts. Furthermore you are advice to reconfirm you billing address include your full names and direct contact telephone number to the Ecowas Bank of Benin Republic for the issuance of certified ATM Credit Card meant for your payment. Contact information is as follows:CITIBANK OF BENIN REPUBLIC. 2 ROYAL EXCHANGE BUILDINGS A COTONOU EC3V 3LF.Email:citibankatmdpt@yahoo.frTELE/FAX 00229 93408114NAME: Dr David Adams NB: note that you can only withdraw just $10,000.00 per day at the minimum of $300 per withdrawal till your fund is completed.Please do not reply to this E-mail contact the Bank immediately with the necessary information required from you so that they will commence on the proceedings. Yours faithfully,Mr Godwin GodsonInformation Department

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam