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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)
  • ",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)
  • "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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
• 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.
  • +22997159530 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: markusoseni@m6mail.fr
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:51:14 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Anticipating your positive response.



Hello Dear Friend,

We offered Grant of US250 million for Farmers, Ranchers, and Small scale
Entrepreneur from the Directorate of Project Development (DOPD). This Grant is
for Experienced Farmers, Ranchers and Small Scale Entrepreneurs who are unable to
obtain financing from commercial credit sources. Loan amounts range from
500,000.00 to 2,000,000.00 and to 5,000,000.00 (Amount Varies
Based on
Applicant Capability) Ministry of National Development (MOND) is the sponsor of
this facility.

REASON FOR CONTACTING YOU:

My name is Mr. Markus Oseni the Deputy Governor Financial Sector Surveillance
Central Bank of Benin. Last year I made an arrangement with one Mr. Michael
McNulty a national of the United States of America in the state of Wisconsin to
hold on my behalf the sum of $15.2Million to be used for investment, the money
was slated to
move in two phase of 7.5Million at each phase. We worked together and
obtainedall the papers needed to transfer the first 7.5Million but as soon as
the fund was confirmed in his bank account he disconnected his phone line 715 694
5761 and disappeared. He was staying at #45, Peterson Rd,Black River Falls,
Wisconsin.

My tenure as the Deputy Governor Financial Sector Surveillance Central Bank of
Benin will very soon and I don't want the opportunity I have here in making
myself rich to be wasted hence I am contacting you to work with me and keep on my
behalf for investment the balances sum US7.7Million. As a civil servant still
under services of my government I am barred from operating foreign account and I
would not deposit this amount in my local account here because I had declared my
asset immediately I was appointed into my present position.

I will make you my investment manager after a commission of 2.2Million from the
7.7Million for your kind help and I pray I will not be disappointed again. I
seek for your corporation and sincerity towards this business.

Please contact me immediately via my e-mail: ( markusoseni@m6mail.fr )telephone (+229-9715-9530): with your
complete names and numbers (Phone and Fax) and I will get back to you explaining
areas you felt you want to know better.
Anticipating your positive response.

Yours faithfully,
Mr. Markus Oseni
Tel: +229-971-595-30

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam