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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "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)
  • "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.
  • +22997864568 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "ATM DEPARTMENT" <atmdept1@klikni.cz>
Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 15:10:44 +0100
Subject: Re: Approved ATM Card Payment


Re: Approved ATM Card Payment

We write to inform you that the payment of your outstanding
inheritance/winning payment has been approved.

The sum of $1,500,000.00 USD will be paid to you through "ATM Card Payment".
The delivery/processing charges of $1,150.00 has been paid by my secretary
to the processing officer through Money Gram. The reference number for
Money Gram is 65488728 and receiver's name is Mr. Mark Overs.

You are adviced to contact the ATM processing officer in the Bank with your
full information on how you want it to appear on your ATM Card.

1. Your Full Names
2. Complete delivery Address and country
3. Contact Telephone Numbers and fax
Contact information of the ATM processing officer and you are required to
contact the processing officer with the above require information:

Bank Name: Diamond Bank Plc.
Cotonou, Benin Republic
Contact Person: Mr. Mark Overs
Email:diamondbkbenin@msn.com <Email%3Adiamondbkbenin@msn.com>
Tel: +229 97864568

Remember that you are required to send to the Bank the sum of $208 which
they will use to secure an Oath of Guarantee on your Behalf.

This is to enable them present your Release Order before the Office Of The
Presidency for the Release of your payment. Remember to quote your ATM
payment CODE " ATM-11014 ".

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam