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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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 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.
  • oceanbankbenin1@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "bank oceanic" <oceanicoffice2@mailbox.hu>
Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 12:01:53 +0100
Subject: CONTACT OUR ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT.


From the desk of: Dr. James Martins.
International Payment Dept.
Oceanic bank international plc.

Plot 061 Akpakpava Avenue
Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

Our Ref /00.OCE /007
Your Ref / ATM-2010


Attn: Beneficiary,
Forward your information to our ATM Foreign Department for your payment of
$1.5Million dollars contract sum,note you can only collect $1,500 usd only
daily on this card,Contact the Foreign payment oppration Department.

Dr. James Martins
Email: oceanbankbenin1@yahoo.fr

Note That Because Of Impostors, We Hereby Issue You Our Code Of Conduct,
Which Is (ATM-2010)

1.YOUR FULL NAMES:
2.YOUR ADDRESS:
3.SEX:
4.AGE:
5.MARITAL STATUS:
6.OCCUPATIAON:
7.TELEPHONE / FAX:

Note: It will cost you only $125 usd for shipment of the card to your
doorstep,this cost includes insurance / postage of your ATM card to you in
your country, please be informed that you will bear the cost of the postage
/ insurance of your ATM card.

Best wishes,

Miss Rosemary Dousu for Oceanic Bank Plc.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam