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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
  • +22993684479 (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.
  • courierexpresscompany08@yahoo.com.br (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "georgeudo3 Gazeta.pl" <georgeudo3@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 09:43:21 +0200
Subject: Hello Dear,


Hello Dear,
I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft.but the manager of Eko
Bank Benin told me that before the check will get to you that it
will expire.So i told him to cash $1.5 Million all the necessary
arrangement of delivering the $1.5 Million in cash was made with
FedEx Express Delivery COMPANY LTD.This in the information they need
to delivery yourpackage to you.

ATTN:REV.DR.STEVEN LONG
TEl: +229-936-844-79
TEL: +229-936-844-79
EMAIL: courierexpresscompany08@yahoo.com.br )

Please, Send them your contacts information to able 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 COUNTRY:
3.YOUR HOME ADDRESS:
4.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:
5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE:
6.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE
7.COMPANY REGISTRATION NO EG58945
8.CODE NMBER 0140479

Please make sure you send this needed infomation to the Director
general of FedEx Express Delivery COMPANY Ltd REV.DR.STEVEN LONG
with the address given to you.Note. The FedEx Express Delivery
COMPANY Ltd don't know the contents of the Box. I registered it asa

Box of an Africa cloths They don't know it contents money. this is
to avoid them

delaying with the Box. don't let them know that is money that is in
that Box.I am waiting for your urgent response. You can even call
the Director of fEDEX REV.DR.STEVEN LONG Ltd with this line +229-936-
844-79
Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Mr George Udo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam