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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • +22997019322 (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.
  • collins_obi@netcourrier.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "COLLINS OBI" <c.obi7@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: collins_obi@netcourrier.com
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:39:31 +0100
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL.


*From Mr Collins Obi
Cotonou Benin Republic
West Africa

Dear friend,

I hoped that you will not expose or betray this trust and confident that i
am about to repose on you for the mutual benefit of our both families. We
have never met before but I believe that we will know each other very soon.

I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of ($10.5) million
into your account. The money has been dormant for years in our bank here
without any body coming for it.

I want you to apply for the fund as the business partner/nearest person to
our deceased customer (the owner of the account) who died a long with his
supposed next of kin in an air crash few years ago.*

*I don't want the money to go into our bank treasury as unclaimed fund. So
this is the reason why I contacted you, so that we will release the money to
you as the business partner to the deceased customer.

Meanwhile, all the whole arrangement to make you the benefice next of kin to
the deceased has been made and all his information in right in my office.
the directives and needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you
indicate your interest and willingness to assist me and also benefit your
self to this great business opportunity.*


*I am the bill and exchange manager Bank of Africa here in Cotonou Benin
republic. So, your interest will be highly protected in this bank as soon as
you indicate your interest.

Upon receipt of your reply, I will send you full details on how the business
will be executed and also note that you will have 40% of the above mentioned
sum if you agree to transact the business with me.*

*I know you will not feel comfortable to release your contact as you don't
know me in person but you don't have to fear for anything. Reply with you
private telephone number so that i will call you to explain better to you.*

*Reply to my alternative email address:
**collins_obi@netcourrier.com*<collins_obi@netcourrier.com>
*Thanks and hoping to hear from you. Call me on my private telephone
number.+229 9701 93 22

Mr Collins Obi*

**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam