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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "huge amount 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)
  • "million united state dollars" (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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "cotonou" (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 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.
  • www.billjohnson@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "Bill Johnson" <billjohnsonron@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 21:59:56 +0100
Subject: Personal Letter


*Dear Personal,*

* *

*I Am Master. Bill Johnson, the son of Late Mr. Wange Johnson, the chief
security officer to the former president of Somalia. At Present I am here in
Cotonou, Republic of Benin. I got your contact through inter-net. In the
course of the war in my country, my father was arrested and killed by the
rebel/opposition leader earlier last year, due to his involvement in the
Government of the former president of the country. *

*This situation has led me in a very difficult situation here now. Which
made me to contact you for an assistance in helping me to transfer out some
huge amount of money which my father have safe and kept in a financial
Security company, here in Republic of Benin.

*

*The amount is THIRTY TWO MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS (US$32,000,000.) this
was the money given to him to buy ammunition before he was arrested and
killed by the opposition party. And the Government is not aware of this
money in our custody here now. I would have invited you to Somalia to see
things yourself, but the situation here will not be suitable for you to
come. Now I needed your assistance to send the whole of this money out of
here into your Private or company account over there for investment.*

* *

* I would have operated with this money here but due to the situation and my
father's involvement in the country's political crisis here; I can not be
allowed to use this fund here. Because we are under close monitor here.
Where your assistance could be possible, I will offer you 40% of the total
sum and 10% will be for expenses all your expenses will be taken care of
immediately after the transaction. 60% goes for me towards my investments.

*

*Please, your prompt reply through my email: www.billjohnson@yahoo.fr*

* *

*Will be highly appreciated to enable me conclude our internal arrangements
here.

*

*Thanks and God bless you as you offer to assist *

* *

*BEST REGARDS,

*

*From. Bill Johnson

*

* *

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam