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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "lome togo" (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.
  • +2289112088 (Togo, 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.
  • bidamohd@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mohd bida" <mohdbida9@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 13:02:13 +0200
Subject: joint venture; your urgent assistance needed..........pls call me +228 911 20 88 for details;


FROM MOHAMMED BIDA
AUDIT AND DEBT RECONCILIATION DEPT
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
REGIONAL OFFICE
LOME TOGO
TEL..+228 911 20 88
EMAIL (bidamohd@yahoo.com)
Dear Friend

I am MOHD BIDA Executive Director of AUDIT AND DEBT RECONCILIATION DEPT
of Africa Development Bank
WE have discovered large sums of money in our suspense account abandoned by
some customers now confirmed dead without any next of kin;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EgyptAir_Flight_990
http://www.cnn.com/US/9910/31/egyptair.04/
http://www.ntsb.gov/events/ea990/default.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/world/americas/502503.stm
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1999/11/01/iran/main49778.shtml

After allowing the required period permitted by the bank rules (36 months)
i decided to contact you as the receipient of the fund and next of kinto the
deceased; it will be transfered in phases of (7.5M USD) for 2 equal
instalments;
Moreso i will be retiring from service by the end of this year; all the
relevant documents that will enable you lay claim and hands on the fund will
be given to you;
For you assisting in receiving the fund into your account ;
you will get 30% WHILE 50% is for me; 5% is set aside for expenses that
might occur in course of the transfer;
Then 15% will be for used for joint venture between both of us;
After the successful transfer of the fund i will like to invest part of my
share in your country; This transaction does not contravene any
international law and it is 100% RISK FREE.

Should you be interested in executing this transaction with me;
indicate your interest by sending me the following:

1. YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS
2. YOUR AGE OCCUPATION
3. YOUR DIRECT PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
4. COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE.
5. CAN YOU SPONSOR THE TRANSACTION ALONE?
Your response with the requested information should be sent to reach me at
my personal email address below: Pls note that all the information will be
used to secure the claim change of ownership in your name and favour;
I assure you a cordial working relationship;

Sincerely,
MOHD BIDA
+228 911 20 88
pls reply to (bidamohd@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam