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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:

• 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)
  • "swift card payment center" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
  • "card center will send you an atm card" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "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 "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.
  • financialbank.plcbn@tlen.pl
  • financialbank.plcbn@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "mike" <mikeobaseki@centrum.sk>
Date: Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:50:19 +0200
Subject: YOUR ATM CARD IS READY



Hello My Good Friend,
I have been waiting for you since to come down here
and pick your bank draft but did not hear from you
since that time then i went and deposited the ($800,000.00USD) draft in the bank.
 
We have arranged your payment through swift card
payment center asia pacific, this card center will
send you an atm card which you will use to withdraw
your money in any ATM machine in any part of the
world, but the maximum is one thousand, five hundred united states dollars per day.
 
kindly contact the below person who is in possition to release your ATM payment card.
 
send your information which they will use to send the card to you.
1. full name
2. address were 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.
director, Rev.Edward Philip.
atm payment department Financial Bank Plc
tel:   +229 93081745
email:  financialbank.plcbn@tlen.pl
email:  financialbank.plcbn@yahoo.fr
 
I have paid for the processing and delivery
charges.the only money that your are going to pay to
them is only $105 dollars which they will use to obtain
the affidevit of onwership from the federal high court of 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 ATM card.
Thanks
Mr Mike Obaseki
 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam