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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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)
  • "registration 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. )
  • "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 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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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 "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.
  • +22993904448 (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.
  • diplomatcouriercompanyplc15@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "mike olis" <mikeolis@gala.net>
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 11:13:50 +0200
Subject: I HAVE REGISTERED YOUR CONSIGNMENT WITH Global Express Courier Company


Hello my Dear friend,

Good day. How are you today? My name is Mr. JOHN WILSON I am writing to
inform you that I have Paid the registration fee for your cheque which has
been with me for a long time. And 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 told me that before the cheque will get to your hand that it will
expire. So I told him to cash the $1.5million united state dollarsS to cash
payment to avoid losing this funds under expiration.

However, all the necessary arrangement for delivering the $1.5million
united state dollarsS in cash was made with Global Express Courier Company
ltd here in Cotonou Benin Republic, Mr.Justin Yayi the Director of Bank of
Africa Cotonou has package the sum of $1.5 million USD in cash for you.

Then he also help me to Register the Consignment with Global Express
Courier Company ltd Infact I thank God very much for all the movement I
made, every thing went normally. As for our agreement with the Global
Express Courier Company ltd they promised that your consignment will leave
this Country on or before 5 days from now, But the Director of the Global
Express Courier Company ltd said that they need your contacts information's
to enable them meet up with you immediately the Diplomat Agents arrived in
your Country.

Please write a letter of application to the given E- mail address below.

ATTN: EDWARD SAMMY
Email: diplomatcouriercompanyplc15@yahoo.com
Tel 00229 93904448


please Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX This is what they
need from you.

1.YOUR FULL NAME
2.YOUR COUNTRY
3.YOUR HOME DELIVERY ADDRESS.
4.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.
5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.
6 YOUR CURRENT CELL PHONE
7.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE

Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director general
of Global Express Courier Company ltd DR.EDWARD LIN with the address given
to you.
Note this. Courrier Service Company don't know the contents of the Box. I
registered it as a BOX of Africa cloths. They did not know the contents was
money. this is to avoid them delaying with the BOX.

Dont let them know that the box contents was money ok. I am waiting for
your urgent response. You can even call the Director of Global Express
Courier Company ltd with this line: Tel 00229 93 690 988

Below is the Deposit details:
Deposit Number: PLCC-101-PL45
Sort/Clearance Code: PLC/101-45/P50
Deposit Certificate N0.: 405576
Consignment Description: 1 BOX of Africa cloths
Depositor: Mr. BENN WILSON
Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Regards.
JOHN WILSON

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam