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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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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:

• 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:
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "the diplomat " ("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. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
  • +22993081745 (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.
  • globelinkcouriercompany@o2.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • globelinkcouriercompany@tlen.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mike oruma" <mikeoruma6@legwork.com.ng>
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:36:43 +0100
Subject: CONTACT COURIER COMPANY


Hello my good friend,

Good day, how are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have paid the
fee for your Cheque Draft. And I went to the bank to confirm if the Cheque
has expired or about to expire and Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Central
Bank of West African States(BCEAO) told me that before the cheque will get
to your hand that it will expire.

So I told him to cash the $800.000 UNITED STATES DOLLARS to cash payment to
avoid losting this funds.However, all the necessary arrangement of
delivering the $800.000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS in cash was made with GLOBE
LINK COURIER COMPANY here in Cotonou Benin Republic,

Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) in
Cotonou have to package the sum of $800.000 in cash for me. Then he also
agreed to help me to Register the Consignment with GLOBE LINK COURIER
COMPANY. Infact I thank God very much for all the movement I made, every
thing goes normally.

As for our agreement with the GLOBE LINK COURIER COMPANY, they promised that
your consignment will leave this Country on Monday next week; But the
Director of the GLOBE LINK COURIER COMPANY said that they need your contacts
informations to able them meet up with you immediately the Diplomat Agent
arrived to your Country.

Please write a letter of application to the given address below.

ATTN: DR.TONNY THOMAS
TEl: +229-93081745
EMAIL:globelinkcouriercompany@o2.pl
EMAIL:globelinkcouriercompany@tlen.pl

Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they
need from you.

1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
3. YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.
4. YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.
5. A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE
6.COMPANY REGISTRATION NO EG58945
7.CODE NMBER 0140479
Please make sure you send this needed informations to the Director general
of Globe Link Courier Company Dr.Tonny Thomas, with the address given to
you.

Note. The GLOBE LINK COURIER COMPANY does not know the content of the Box. I
registered it as a BOX of an Africa clothes. They don't know that it
contains money. This is to avoid them suspecting us of money trafficking,
don't let them know that the content of the box is money.

I am waiting for your urgent response. You can even call the Director of
Globe link Courier Company with this line: +229-93081745

Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Mr. Mike Oruma

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam