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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)
  • "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. )
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • +22997289395 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Amusa Mr.Hassan" <mrhassanamusa1@nsk.biz>
Reply-To: mrhassanamusa@msn.com
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 13:49:02 +0200
Subject: From: Mr. Hassan Amusa.


*From: Mr. Hassan Amusa.
Auditing and Account manager
Lloyds Tsb Bank Plc Republic Of Benin.
Phone:+229 9728 9395
Email: mrhassanamusa@msn.com *
*
Dear Friend,*

* PLEASE REPLY TO MY PRIVATE E-MAIL ADDRESS:*
* mrhassanamusa@msn.com *

*
I am Mr. Hassan Amusa, the director in charge of auditing and accounting
section of Lloyds Tsb Bank Plc,Cotonou,Republic of Benin, West Africa, and
also a special account officer of Mr. Peter Lund,a European.He was a
seasoned contractor with Benin Cement Company, Cotonou, who unfortunately
died in a plane crash of Union Transport Africaines Flight Boeing 727 in
Cotonou, Republic of Benin on 25th December, 2003.

You will read more stories about the crash on visiting this website:
1.www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3555201,00.html
2.www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/

Before his death on the 25th December 2003, Mr.Lund has a fixed deposit
account with the bank and no other person know about this account or have
any information relating to this account.

The account has no beneficiary nor did next-of-kin other than him and my
investigation reveal that his supposed next-of-kin died along with him in
the crash.

Since then, I have made several enquiries to locate any of his extended
relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After several unsuccessful
attempts, I decided to contact you.
I'm contacting you to assist in remittance of a dormant fund as the next of
kin left behind by Mr. Lund so as not to allow the bank confiscate or
declare the funds unserviceable according to Benin Republic financial law on
unclaimed bills which the governmentusually map out for the purchase of
ammunitions which are the major course of connflicts in the west of Africa.

Consequently, I'm seeking your consent to present you as the next-of-kin of
the deceased so that the outstanding fixed deposit (US$22.1M) will be
remitted into any designated account of yours to be shared by both of us in
the ratio of 60% to me and 40% for you.

I have all necessary legal documents to back up this claim. All that is
required of you is absolute honesty, total commitment, co-operation &
absoluteconfidentiality.Be rest-assured that this transaction will be
executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect both parties from
breach of the law and it is 100% risk free and attracts no authorities and
every information you will require as the next of kin will be forwarded to
you after your final acceptance to help me champion this deal.

If this proposal is acceptable to you, kindly email your following
information to me:

a. Full Name(s)
b. Direct phone & fax number(s)
c. Your direct email & any other information you maydeem helpful.

Thank you for your cooperation until I read from you.You may also reach me
at my private mailbox and call me for further information on, +229 9728
9395, mrhassanamusa@msn.com
<http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=mrhassanamusa@msn.com>*
**
*If you know that you are not capable for this important transaction then do
not reply but if you can then reply orgently.*
**
*Thank you and GOD bless you and your family.*
**

*Sincerely yours,
Mr. Hassan Amusa.*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam