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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:
  • "required 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. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +22997798558 (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.
  • eco_bak@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "joe ude" <joeude2@mail.mn>
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 15:36:24 +0200
Subject: CONTACT ECO BANK FOR YOUR TRANSFER,


**
**
**
*
FINANCIAL MINISTER OF. FREDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
FOREIGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE.

*
**
*Attn: Client,*
*This is to inform you that Federal Government Benin is now to handle all
foreign arias/debts. The Board of Federal Ministry of Finance Benin
Republic. *
**
*are here to notify you of your payment inherited funds of ($800.000.00)
After the meeting held federal goverment has instructed Department to
compensate all foreign arias/debts. *
**
*that lost their money for fraud stars in this Benin Repoblic with 20% of
the fund which is sum of $160.000.00 and also instructed this Department to
send your funds to you through western union money transfer for easier
receive of your inherited funds without any further delay. and every
arrangement has been conculded with ECO TRUST BANK PLC BENIN REPOBLIC,*
**
*they request your name and address were you want your fund to be send
through western union. The maximum amount you will be receiving each day is
sum of $4,500.00. *
**
*Also requires transfer charge sum of $127.00 dollar, for re-newing
and reconfirming your file that Department has been deposited in their
office with your name and address. so all you need is to contact them with
your information. *
*This is how you should list your information bellow; *
**
*Beneficiary name---------------------------- *
*Address-------------------------------- *
*Tel phone----------------------------- *
*Text question--------------------------*
*And Answer------------------------- *
**
*here is their contact information;*
*Director Name. Dr Eddy Mba,*
*Email adress* eco_bak@hotmail.com
*and phone no +229-97-79-85-58*
**
*As soon as the required fee of $127.00 is send today for the renewing
reconfirming the payment file of your funds you will start receiving your
funds as from tomorrow. Send the$127.00 *
*dollar through western union with the name and address below: *
* *
*Receiver name -----------ENEANYI IGNATIUS*
*City--------------------------- COTONOU
Country------------------ --BENIN REPUBLIC
Test Question------------HONEST
Test Answer-------------TRUST
Amount-------------------$127.00*
**
*We wait to receive the western union payment information today..
Please if you are not the real beneficiary don't respond to this message.
*
**
* Yours in service
Mr Joe Ude.
Finance Minister
Federal Republic of Benin.
*
**
**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam