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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22993980522 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "CHRIST ALAN" <christ_alan24@ig.com.br>
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 16:20:29 +0200
Subject: YOUR URGENTY REPOND IS NEEDED


WILLIAMS DATTI &CO.CHAMBERS
(ATTORNEYS&COUNSELORS AT LAW)
FEDERAL HIGH COURT BENIN
GREEN-HOUSE BUILDING,
25 HERITAGE TAYOR
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
Phone +229-9398-0522
Please reply me to this box : williamsdatti02@live.fr

Attn...,

Compliments,I Barrister Williams Datti have decided to bestow this trust on
you, which I pray you will not ignore or betray.I appologize in advance
for any inconviniences this may cause you. I am Barrister Williams Datti
the Personal Attorney to late Mr Michael Gill, who was a contractor here
in Benin Rep.Who, on December 2003, with his entire family were perished
in Air -Crash on board from Cotonou.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash

As a matter of fact,My client made a fixed deposit Amount, valued at
($17.5Million USD) with Cemac Bank here in Benin Rep, and upon th duration
time of their agreement,his bank started contacting him but no response.
Conseqently, The bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin to the
deceased as his personal attorney,or have his account confiscated after
four years, as it is in the law of this country.

Since then, I have made several contacts to His Countrys Embassy in order
to locate any of my clients extended relatives,which had also been
unsuccessful.

Since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over two years
now,I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
since none of his relatives were no way to be found so that the proceeds of
this account valued at($17.5Million USD) could be transffered into your
account, thereafter,we will both share it in percentage according toour
contributions to boost the success of this great transaction.

I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up all
the claims we will make.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable
us make this great benefiting transaction successfully.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me
as fast as possible through this email address to enable us discuss
further the progress of this business

Best Regards,
Mr Williams Datti
Senior Advocate of Benin(SAB).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam