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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:
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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:
  • "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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("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. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +22993066463 (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.
  • skypowercourierservices@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "Duke Martins" <dukemartins7@gala.net>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:30:43 +0200
Subject: Urgent Message


SKY POWER SECURITY &
DIPLOMATIC COURIER COMPANY
Rue Du Gouverneur Bayol,
102 BP 1280 Mende, Benin Republic
Greetings From Sky Power Office,
Date:10/07/2008.


This is to inform you that there is a package in this office deposited by a
private organisation body on the 1st of June 2008. Your email address was
attached to it and is to be delivered to you. I have been waiting for you to
contact me for your confirmable package which contain an International
Cashier Bank Draft/Cheque worth the sum of (Two Million Five Hundred
Thousand United State Dollars ($2.5m) only and some other vital documents.
====================================================
Kindly contact our Head Office (Sky Power Security & Diplomatic Courier
Company)
*CONTACTS:*
Managing Director: Chief Austin Lucas
E-mail: skypowercourierservices@yahoo.co.uk
Tel / Fax:+229-9306-6463


You are required to provide him with the following information:
Your Full Name:
Home/Office Address:
Occupation:
Age:
Marital Status:
Nationality:
Telephone Number:
====================================================
NOTE: Every claim has en expiry period of Fourteen working days (14days).
Regards,
Mr.Duke Martins
Sky Power Courier Dept. Officer.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam