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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.

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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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "certified bank draft" (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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
  • +22997066049 (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.
  • mrcharleseze4@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: saniamed1@freenet.de
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:08:05 +0100
Subject: US$800,000.00 For YOUR compensation,


Dear Friend,

Compliments of the day and God\'s blessings. I am glad to
inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction,the money
has been transferred to London.It was done through the assistant of
Mr.Howard Ferraro who is a London base business man.Currently I am in
London with him and my wife and children.

However, I did not forget
you because you are the source of my success,you made me what I am now
though you are not there to complete this project with me but I gave all
the credit and thanks to you.
I know it is not your fault or rather your
wish to back off on me and the transaction,I understand it was simply
because of some circumstances you could not control.
In appreciate of
your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and wrote on your
favor a certified bank draft worth of US$800,000.00.(Eight Hundred
Thousand,United States Dollar Only) I left the draft with my Secretary
Mr.Ibeto Fred, on my departure to London.
I would like you therefore,to
contact him on the below info and instruct him where to send the draft
for you because i have instructed him how to send the money to you
contact him now.
His Email:address is bellow
( mrcharleseze4@yahoo.co.uk
) I would have love to call you from London where I currently reside but
due to the business negotiations and efforts in trying to organise my
business here,it makes me unavailable until i settle down, Feel free to
contact my secretary so that he can release your bank draft to you. Then
get in touch with me once you receive your draft so that we will rejoice
over that together.
I will stop here. Once again,thank you very much and
remain blessed.
Regards,
Mr Charles Eze
Please Feel free to contact my
secretary so that he can release your bank draft to you.His
Email:address is bellow; ( mrcharleseze4@yahoo.co.uk ) His private cell
phone number is +229-97066049

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam