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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "insurance fee " (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. )
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• 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.
  • +22997046911 (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.
  • globalsecuritycouriercompany@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "frank_edward33 Gazeta.pl" <frank_edward33@gazeta.pl>
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 08:02:21 +0300
Subject: CONTACT THE EXPRESS TRUST COURIER SERVICE


Dear Friend,

I have been waiting for you to come down here and collect your compensation
prize of $1,200,000,00 (One Million Two Hundred Thousand US Dollars) I did
not hear from you since then I went and deposit the two Copper Boxes contain
the fund with GLOBAL SECURITY COURIER SERVICE COMPANY (GES) here in Benin
Republic, because I want to travel to Australia to see my new partner and
will not come back till after six months, meanwhile i did not forget your
effort at that time despite that it failed us some how, feel free to contact
the Global Security Courier Company immediately so that we can share the joy
together. Contact the GLOBAL SECURITY COURIER SERVICE COMPANY to know when
they will deliver your Boxes to you.

I have paid for the delivery charges.The only money you have to pay them is
your consignment insurance fee which can not be above $120 Dollars to enable
them insure your consignment before they affect the delivery to you. Comply
with them because the insurance is very necessary for safe delivery. This is
their Contact information; MR.HENRY JECOBS DIRECTOR (GES) Courier Company
Limited Benin Republic,E-mail:(globalsecuritycouriercompany@gmail.com) Phone
number +22997046911. Try to contact them as soon as possible to enable the
delivery of your Boxes to you as scheduled.

Endeavor to confirm your current information to them, make sure you send
your address accurate to avoid any mistake or wrongful delivery. Let me know
as soon as you receive your Boxes. Below is the information they needed from
you,
Full Name______________________________________
Current Address________________________________
Home Phone Number___________________________
Cell Phone Number___________________________
Country________________________________________


Thanks,
Acct.Frank Edward.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam