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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)
  • "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +22998226253 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Van Ben" <vanben10@ig.com.br>
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:38:36 +0100
Subject: GIVE GOD THANKS FOR HIS WORK.


Dear Friend,

I did not forget your past effort by trying to help me, now I want to tell
you that i have suceeded in getting those funds transferred under the
co-operation of a new partner from Paraguay.

Contact my secretary in Cotonou De federal Republic of Benin because I have
left the whole instruction to him on your behalf and instruct him where to
send the check worth of $800.000.00.with out any further delay for your
compensation.

His name is Mr. Johnbosco Cruz.
Email: (mrjohncruz_sec@live.fr)
Telephone: +229-98226253.

NB:NOTE :BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS YOU WILL SEND TO MY SECRETARY:-


(1) YOUR FULL NAMES
(2) YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS
(3) YOUR DIRECT CELPHONE NUMBER AND HOUSE PHONE WITH FAX IF ANY .

REGARDS,

Chief Christopher Maths.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam