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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:
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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.
  • +22997617460 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
  • +22993487742 (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.
  • fedex.expresscontact@yahoo.fr
  • 3afedex.expresscontact@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "john ikenna" <johnikenna02@ig.com.br>
Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 17:54:09 +0200
Subject: CONTACT FEDEX EXPRESS COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY FOR YOUR PACKAGE


(CONTACT FEDEX EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY BENIN)
ODAWA & COUNSELORS AT LAW
06 BP 1409 AKPAKPA DODOMEY
WEST AFRICA COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
EMAIL:fedex.expresscontact@yahoo.fr<EMAIL%3Afedex.expresscontact@yahoo.fr>
PHONE:+229 976 174 60/+229 934 877 42

Dear Beneficiary,
I have been waiting for you since to come down here and pick your Bank Draft
USD$1.5M (ONE MILLION AND FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) but
did not hear from you since that time ,then I went and deposited the Draft
with Fedex Express deliver company here in Benin Republic , because I
travelled to Germany to see my boss and will not come back till next month
ending. You have to contact the Fedex Express deliver company to know when
they will deliver your package.
I have paid for the delivering charges and insurance fee.The only money you
have to send to them is there security keeping fee which is $126.00 Us
Dollars to received your package.Don't be deceived by any body.Below is
their Contact Address;

ATTN: REV. DR DAVID ROBERT.
TEl: : +229 934 877 42
EMAIL:(fedex.expresscontact@yahoo.fr)
Please, Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they
need from you.

1.YOUR FULL NAME.............
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS........
3.YOUR COUNTRY
4.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER...............
5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE......................
6.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE.........................

Try to contact them as soon as possible to avoid increasing the security
keeping fee.I gave them your delivering address but you have to reconfirm it
to them again to avoid any mistake in the delivering including with your ID
or Picture.Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Draft

SHIPMENT CODE AWB 33XZS
PACKAGE REGISTERED CODE NO XGT442.
SECURITY CODE SCTC/2001DHX/567/
TRANSACTION CODE 233/CSTC/101/33028/
CERTIFICATE DEPOSIT CODE SCTC/BUN/xxiv/-78/01
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
DR JOHN IKENNA,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam