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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "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.
  • +22993442401 (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-courier@hotmail.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "officemail012 Gazeta.pl" <officemail012@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 10:03:08 +0200
Subject: YOUR PACKAGE IS READY FOR DELIVERY.


Dear Friend,

I have been waiting for you to contact me for your Confirmable Bank Draft of
$1.5Million United States Dollars, but I did not hear from you since that
time so i went to the bank to confirm if the draft has expired or getting
near to expire and Mr. Justin Yayi the Director Bank of Africa informed
methat before the draft will get to you,it will expire.I instructed him to
turn it to cash to avoid losing this funds under expiration as I will be
out of the country for 6 Months Course and I will not come back till end of
September 2008.

The only money you will send to the Courier Company to deliver your
Consignment directly to your postal Address in your country is ($125.00 US)
One Hundred & Twenty-Five United States Dollars only for Security Keeping
Fee of the Courier Company so far.Again, do not be deceived by anybody to
pay any other extra charges except $125. 00 US Dollars. I would have paid it
but they refused because they do not know when you will be contacting them
and in case of demourrage.

Kindly contact the appointed office below.

Dispatch Officer: Mr.Mark Adams
Email Addres: fedex-courier@hotmail.fr
Tel/FAX: +229 93 44 24 01.

NOTE:FEDEX COURIER SERVICE does not know the actual contents of the
consignment because it was registered as gift items and Personal
belongings.They do not know it contains money so do not disclose it to them
to avoid charges and delays.


Yours Faithfully,
William Johnson.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam