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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
• 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.
  • +22993470235 (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.
  • gexpresscourier@sify.com

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:47:14 +0200
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?PAYMENT_NOTIFICATION?=



Cotonou Benin Republic.



FROM THE DESK OF:

MRS. GRACE WILSON


PAYMENT NOTIFICATION


Attention: Dear Beneficiary,

This is to officially inform you that we have verified your file and found out that why you have not received your payment is because you have not fulfilled the obligations given to you in respect of your Inheritance payment.

Secondly we have been informed that you are still dealing with none officials in the Bank in all your attempt to secure the release of the Fund to you. I wish to advise you that such an illegal act have to stop if you wish to receive your payment.

Right now we have arranged your payment through our cash payment center Inconjuction with the United State High Commission to carry out immediate release of your Fund, that is the latest instruction from the President Federal Republic of Benin.

So the Instruction has been passed to Global Express Courier Diplomatic Company to carry out the delivery of your consignment which contains USD$8,500,000.00 cash . (Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) and we have registerred the Box with Global Express Courier Company under the Registration Box No; GLEPRC/09/10A.

All the necessary arrangement for safe delivery of your consignment has been concluded with Global Express Courier Diplomatic Company Benin Republic.

Do not hesitate to contact the Courier Company with below information;
Contact person: Eric Kessel
EMAIL: gexpresscourier@sify.com
Phone +229 93 470 235
Registration Box No; GLEPRC/09/10A.

Note: The Diplomat who will deliver the Consignment to any place of your choice does not know the original content of the Box. We made them to understand that the Box Contains A Sensitive Photographic Film Material Instead Of Money For Security Reasons. Do not let the Courier Company be aware of the content of your consignment, and also you should not reveal the security key number to the Courier Company.

Here is the security rolling key-lock number which you will use to open the Box :Right-side:512 and Left-side:125.

The Courier Company promised that your consignment will leave as soon as you forward the following informations to enable their Diplomat locate you immediately he arrive your country with your BOX.

1.YOUR FULL NAME-------------------
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS--------------
3.YOUR HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER---------
4.YOUR OFFICE TELEPHONE-----------------
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE OR DRIVER'S LISCENCE
6.YOUR AGE-------------------
7.COUNTRY------------------

Be aware that the delivery fee has already been taken care of. The only money you will pay to the Courier Company is $185 Dollars being their Security Keeping service.

We could have paid the money but the Courier Company Director refused on the ground that they don't know when you will contact them for the delivery of your Box in case of demurrage, therefore contact the Courier Company soonest for delivery of your consignment to avoid demurrage.


Best regards

MRS. GRACE WILSON
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPT.


---------------------- ALICE N°1 de la RELATION CLIENT 2008*--------------------
Découvrez vite l'offre exclusive ALICE BOX! En cliquant ici http://abonnement.aliceadsl.fr Offre soumise à conditions.*Source : TNS SOFRES / BEARING POINT. Secteur Fournisseur d.Accès Internet

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam