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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
• 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.
  • +22993693212 (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.
  • eco_bank_of_africa1@yahoo.ca
  • 3aeco_bank_of_africa1@yahoo.ca

Fraud email example:

From: "chris okafor" <chrisokafor9@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:12:30 +0200
Subject: CONTCAT ECO BANK OF AFRICA IMMEDAITELY


Dear Friend


I have discuss with the bank that issued the check to my boss and they have
agree to transfer the fund directly to your account.I was told to inform you
to contact the bank direct and they will proceed with you as soon as the
bank hear from you.


This is the contact information of the bank:

Bank Name:Eco Bank OF Africa
Contact Person:Dr Samuel Duylass
Email:eco_bank_of_africa1@yahoo.ca <Email%3Aeco_bank_of_africa1@yahoo.ca>
Phone: +229-936-932-12


You are advice to contact the bank and inform them that i Mr, Chris Okafor
have inform you about my discusstion with the bank regarding to your casher
check of$800,000.00 and due get back to me as soon as you have receive the
fund into your account so that i will update my boss.

I am waiting to hear from you.

Best Regards
Mr,Chris Okafor

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam