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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:
  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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +22993899038 (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.
  • westernunionoffice@mail.md

Fraud email example:

From: "ekwenka james" <ekwenkajames26@e-mail.ua>
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 18:51:59 +0200
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION DEPARTMENT OFFICE FOR YOUR DAILY PAYMENT


THIS MESSAGE IS COMEING FROM THE DESK OF
OFFICE OF MR.JAMES EKWENKA
THE HAERD OF MINISTRY OF FINANCE


Attn:My Dear

Now we have arranged your payment of ($1.400.000.00) One million four
hundred thousand united state dollars that was in atm payment card into
carsh and to be sent to you through western union money transfer payment:
Your payment will sending to you by western union, the amount you will be
receiveing per day is $5000

The ministry trust funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently
standards track details you need to pick up your ($5000) payment by western
union office, you will be receiveing every day till 280 days to you received
your total sum of $1.400.000.00 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 only fee you have to
send to them is $155.00 usd that they will use to obtain insurance
transferand claims of affidavite that will prove that the parcel that
consist total sum of $1.400.000.00 belong to you be rest assure that all
other fees have been paid by me.

The director administrtor trust funds have already signed your payment, now
you are free to comply with wemaco payment office on this email: (
westernunionoffice@mail.md ) however, kindly contact the below person who is
in position to release your payment by western union per $5000 per day.try
and send them the fee of $155.00 usd immediately to aneble them transferd
your fund ok.

Mr.Peter O. Eric,
western union department
Oceanic Bank Benin,
Mobile: +229-938-99-038
E-mail: ( westernunionoffice@mail.md )

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 the administrator payment need this details from you to process your
payment:
Receiver name---------------
Country---------------------
City------------------------
Tel-------------------------
Test question---------------
Answer----------------------

Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr.Peter
Ogun Eric he will start sending your payment by western union or call him
on this line +229-938-99-038

Regards,
Mr.James Ekwenka .

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam