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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "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)
  • "30% for you " (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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • benoit1@ig.com.br (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "COMMONWEALTH OFFICE" <cwealth17@ig.com.br>
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:18:33 +0200
Subject: BONJOUR


CONTINENTAL BANK BENIN
Carrefour des 3 banques
Avenue Jean Paul II,
01 BP 2020 Cotonou
Private E:Mail benoit1@ig.com.br

YOUR KINDEST ATTENTION

It is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive because you
do not know me but I have a lucrative business proposal of mutual interest
to share with you. I got your reference in my search for someone who suits
my proposed business relationship.

Please I seek your permission and would want to get myself introduce to you.
I am Mr. Benoît ZANNOU General Manager of CONTINENTAL BANK BENIN.I have
concealed business suggestion for you.

Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Mr. Aadam A'isha-Yunus who was an
Iraqi Business Man and also a contractor With The BENIN CEMENT COMPANY made
a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Nineteen
million five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only ($19.5m) in my
branch. Upon maturity several notices were sent to him, even during the war,
again after the war several notifications were sent and still no response
came from him. We later found out that the Mr. Aadam A'isha-Yunus and his
family had been killed during the war in a bomb blast that hit their home in
Iraq.

After further investigation it was also discovered that Mr. Aadam
A'isha-Yunus did not declare any next of kin in his official papers
including the paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the
last time he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in
my bank.

So, Nineteen million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars is still
lying in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim it. What bothers
me most is that according to the laws of my country at the expiration three
years the funds will revert to the ownership of the BENIN Government if
nobody applies to claim the funds.

Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a
foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Mr. Aadam A'isha-Yunus so that you
will be able to receive his funds.

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall
come out successful.

There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going adopt a
legalized method. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all
matters concerning this issue. Once the funds have been transferred to your
nominated bank account we shall share in the ratio of 65% for me, 30% for
you and 5% for any expenses incurred during the course of this operation.

Should you be interested please send me your private phone and fax numbers ,
you can write me via my private box and i will provide you with more details
of this operation.
Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated .

Kindly send your reply to:My Private Email: ( benoit1@ig.com.br )

Kind Regards
Mr. Benoît ZANNOU.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam