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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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.
  • +22993420555 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "DR JOHNSON WILLIAMS" <drjohnsonwilliams10@ig.com.br>
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:28:43 +0100
Subject: DEAR FRIEND,


DEAR FRIEND,

I AM HAPPY TO INFORM YOU ABOUT MY SUCCESS IN GETTING THOSE FUNDS TRANSFERED
UNDER THE CO-OPERATION OF A NEW BUSINESS PARTNER FROM CHINA. PRESENTLY I'M
IN CHINA FOR AN INVESTMENT PROJECT WITH MY OWN SHARE OF THE TOTAL SUM.
MEANWHILE, I DIDN'T FORGET YOUR PAST EFFORTS AND ATTEMPTS TO ASSIST ME IN
TRANSFERRING THOSE FUNDS DESPITE THAT IT FAILED US SOME HOW.

IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR EARLIER ASSISTANCE TO ME IN RECEIVING THE FUNDS,I
HAVE DECIDED TO COMPENSATE YOU WITH THE SUM OF $1,5M WRITTEN IN A CERTIFIED
BANK DRAFT (ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED USD). THIS IS FROM MY OWN SHARE. I DID
THIS SIMPLY TO SHOW YOU THAT IT IS GOOD TO BE GOOD AT THE RIGHT TIME AND TO
A RIGHT PERSON .

PRESENTLY, I AM IN CHINA WITH MY FAMILY NOW FOR INVESTMENT PROJECT WITH MY
OWN SHARE UNDER THE ADVICE OF MY NEW PARTNER. MEANWHILE, I DIDN'T FORGET
YOUR PAST EFFORTS AND ATTEMPTS TO ASSIST ME IN TRANSFERRING THOSE FUNDS
DESPITE YOU LATHER STARTED HAVING A BAIS MIND.

NOW CONTACT MY SECRETARY IN COTONOU BENIN WITH THE DETAILS BELOW;

NAME: MR SAM OWOLABI
EMAIL- SAMOWOLADI@LIVE.COM
+229-93420555

PLEASE DO LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY YOU RECEIVED AND CASH YOUR MONEY SO THAT
WE CAN SHARE THE JOY TOGETHER AFTER ALL THE SUFFERING AT THAT TIME. IN THE
MOMENT, I AM VERY BUSY HERE IN CHINA BECAUSE OF THE INVESTMENT PROJECTS
WHICH I AM HAVING AT AHND WITH MY NEW BUSINESS PARTNER, WHICH THE NEW
PARTNER AND I ARE HAVING AT HAND. SO FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH MR. SAM
OWOLABI TO SEND THE CHEQUE TO YOU WITHOUT ANY DELAY.

BEST REGARDS,
DR.JOHNSON WILLIAMS

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam