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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:

• 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:
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "million dollars" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22997746331 (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.
  • office.papa_erieokwe1@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Papa Erieokwe <papa.erieokwe@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: office.papa_erieokwe1@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:30:22 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: ATTN: Wim Bastiaanse


Barrister Papa Erieokwe
Counselors At Law
Avocat 04 BP 551, Cotonou,
République du Bénin
Telephone: 00229-97746331
Email; office.papa_erieokwe1@yahoo.fr


ATTN: Bastiaanse

I am Barrister Papa Erieokwe ,the attorney at law to Late Michael Bastiaanse, a national of your country, who used to work as the Director of Société Nationale
de Commercialisation des Produits Pétroliers (SONACOP)Oil Company in Benin Republic West Africa Here in after shall be Referred to as my client. On
the 27th of May 2001, my client, His wife and their three Children were involved in a car accident Along Sagbama express-road. All occupants of the vehicle
Unfortunately lost their lives.Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved
Unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his Family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in Repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank
here. These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the " ATLANTIQUE BANK BENIN " An affiliate of Commercial Bank of Africa where the Deceased had an account valued at about $18.5 million dollars. The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated. Since
I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over 5 years now I seek your consent To present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have The same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at $18.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can Share the
money.60% to me and 40% to you I will procure all Necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this Deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law. And the way we are going to achieve this is
I will need the following information from you,
Your Full Name and Address,
Your Age, Occupation and Position,
Your Telephone and Mobile for Communication Purpose.
For privacy reply to my private
EmailI office.papa_erieokwe1@yahoo.fr
await your reply ASAP.

Best Regards,
Barrister Papa Erieokwe


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam