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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
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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:
  • "million united state 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)
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• 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.
• 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.
  • +22993937941 (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.
  • westernunionoffice122@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "barristermikejohnson15 Gazeta.pl" <barristermikejohnson15@gazeta.pl>
Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:45:54 +0200
Subject: CONTACT NOW WESTERN UNION FOR YOUR PAYMENT


Attn:My Dear

now we have arranged your payment of ($2.5Million) One Million five hundred
thousand united state dollars in atm payment card to be sent to you through
western union money transfer payment: Your payment will sending to you by
western union, the amount you will receive per day is $10,000

The minister trust funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently
standards track details you need to pick up your ($10,000) payment by
western union, you will receive every day till you receive the $2.5Million
united state dollars, now no need to send you this atm card because you can
not be able to withdraw the atm card due to the atm master card contain
large money on it.

The director administrtor trust funds have already signed your payment, now
you are free to comply with wemaco payment office on this email:
westernunionoffice122@yahoo.fr) however, kindly contact the below person who
is in position to release your payment by western union per $10,000 a day.
Mr Johnson Darry ,
western union department
Financial Bank Benin,
Mobile: +229 93 937941
E-mail: ( westernunionoffice122@yahoo.fr)

The financial western union payment canter has been mandated to issue out
your payment and you have to stop any further

communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in
receiving your payment.
Note that the administrator payment need this details from you to process
your payment:
Receiver name---------------

Country---------------------

City------------------------

Tel-------------------------

Test question---------------

Answer----------------------

Copy of your id----------------

Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr Johnson
Darry he will start sending your payment by
western union

Regards,
Barrister Mike Johnson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam