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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22993724486 (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.
  • gspexpresscouriercompanylimite@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "FRANK EDWARD" <frank_edward15@ig.com.br>
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 21:26:31 +0200
Subject: FOR YOUR INFORMATION.


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 $2,000,000.00 all the necessary arrangement of delivering the
$2,000,000.00 in cash was made with GSP COURIER COMPANY LTD.This in the
information they need to delivery your package to you.

ATTN: PROFFESOR.REV:JOHN BROWN
TEl: +229-93-72-44-86
EMAIL: gspexpresscouriercompanylimite@gmail.com

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.

I also want to remained you that $3000.00 was deducted from the total sumand
this amount includes the registration and the delivery fee which is $500.00
and $2500.00 of the barrister that did thejob, The only money you will send
to the company to deliver your package box direct to our Address in your
country is $100 dollars for their security keeping fee,addressbelow.And
don't let them know the content to avoid delaying delivery ok.

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 generalof
Gsp Courier Company Ltd PROFFESOR.REV:JOHN BROWN with the address given to
you.

Note. The Gsp Courier Company Ltd don't know the contents of the Box.I
registered it as a Box ofan 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 evencall the
Director of Gsp Courier Company Ltd with this line +229-93-72-44-86
Thanks and Remain Blessed.

MR FRANK EDWARD

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam