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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:
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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:
  • "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "clearance certificate" (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. )
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
• 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.
  • +22997905798 (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.
  • telexdeptcreditbank@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: jameswilliam24@ig.com.br
Reply-To: mrjames20williams@live.com
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:47:06 +0100
Subject: YOUR FUND RELEASE.


Attn: Beneficiary

I am Mr James Williams, , the driector of Credit Bank Benin. This is to
bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money
Transaction originated from any part of African/ Europe and Asia counties
etc. as Contract payment, Fund inheritance or Lottery Winning due to
Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies In
releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money Laundry
activities going on world wide.

The World Bank Group has Mandated the Credit Bank Benin via my Office to
release funds to beneficiaries through Cash delivery, Hence Your Name
appears as one of The fund beneficiaries whom their fund was successfully
cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry and your money will be
released to you Through International Cashier's Bank Draft that will be
cashable from any International Bank in your country or cash delivery been
the only way you would receive Your money to avoid paying excess charges.

As regard to this arrangement, you are advised to contact the telex director
Rev Dr Jonathan David through his direct email :
telexdeptcreditbank@yahoo.fr

CONTACT REV DR JONATHAN DAVID WITH THE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW.

TELEX DIRECTOR CREDIT BANK BENIN
NAME: REV DR JONATHAN DAVID
DIRECT EMAIL: telexdeptcreditbank@yahoo.fr
DIRECT TEL: +229 97905798

You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers, Your
complete name and your mailing address to Rev Dr Jonathan David for
Immediate release of your fund to you, Most importantly be aware that Two
Million five hundred Thousand Dollars Only (US2, 500, 000.00) was allocated
to you, be also informed That the Fund Approvals and authorization document
Including Antiterrorist Clearance Certificate was issued in your name and
has been handed over to Rev Dr Jonathan David to release to you.

Finally, Rev Dr Jonathan David is standby to receive your communication
and Release your fund to you through Cash delivery Without further delay.
Make your contact directly to him through Email contact any time because we
are working 24 Hours to be able to meet with the mandate given by the World
Bank.

Thanks for your maximum cooperation.
Mr James Williams,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam