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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.

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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:
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22993419701 (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.
  • david_oti33@hotmail.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR DAVID OTISHABA" <otishaba@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: david_oti333@hotmail.fr
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:11:12 +0200
Subject: FROM. MR DAVID OTISHABA


Good Day,

My name is Mr.David Otishaba a Banker by profession and currently a director
with Bank of Africa Cotonou Benin Republic Branch.

I got your name and address in my search for a reputable and reliable person
to help me and claim the sum of $13.2 million deposit in our bank by one of
our customer who died with his wife and children on car crash accident and
since his death no one has come up as his next of kin so that is why I
decided to contact you. Your Full Name,Contact Address,Phone/fax number,will
be necessary for this Effect. I await your response so as for us to proceed
with the transaction.If you are interested, this my Alternativee mail
address(david_oti33@hotmail.fr<http://us.mc596.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=david_oti33@hotmail.fr>)
Here is my phone number Tel:+229 934-197-01

I looking forward to hear from you further action.
Mr.David Otishaba

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam