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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:
  • "atm payment department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
• 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.
  • +22993877234 (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.
  • atlantic.bankplc@yahoo.ca

Fraud email example:

From: "GAN" <charity@centrum.sk>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:17:47 +0200
Subject: Hello


Hello
I have been waiting for you since to come down here and pick your Bank Draft but did not heard from you since that time then I went and deposited the Draft with Atlantic Bank Plc here in Benin Republic, because I travelled to Japan to see my boss and will not come back till next month end. I have arranged with them to make your payment to you with their new ATM MASTER CARD which you can use to withdraw your money in any ATM MACHINE around the globe. You have to contact the Atlantic Bank Plc with your full contact informations such as follows.

1. FULL NAME
2. ADDRESS WHERE YOU WANT THEM TO SEND THE ATM CARD
3. PHONE AND FAX NUMBER
4. YOUR AGE AND CURRENT OCCUPATION
5. ATTACH COPY OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION
However, Kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your ATM CARD.
REV DR.HEDRICK RIGGS DIRECTOR,
ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT ATLANTIC BANK
MOBILE: +229 93877234
EMAIL: atlantic.bankplc@yahoo.ca
I have paid for the processing and delivery charges.The only Money that you are going to pay to them is only $196 US Dollars which they will use to obtain the Affidevit Of Onwership from the Federal High Court Benin Republic.
Try to contact them as soon as possible to quicken the processing of your card before your draft gets Expired . Let me know as soon as you receive your Card. Thanks and God Bless
CHARITY GAN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam