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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +22993411209 (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.
  • westernunionpayment66@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "ezieri ude" <ezieriude3@sify.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:07:47 +0200
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION FOR YOUR PAYMENT


Attn:My Dear,

now we have arranged your payment of ($1.5Million) One Million five hundred
thousand united state dollars in atm payment card to be sent to you through
western union money transfer payment: Your payment will be sent to you by
western union, the amount you will receive per day is $5,000 two times per
day.

The minister trust funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently
standards track details you need to pick up your ($5,000) payment by western
union, you will receive the sum of $1.5Million united state dollars,now no
need to send you this atm card because you can not be able to withdraw the
atm card due to the atm master card contain large money on it. The director
administrtor trust funds have already signed your payment, now you are free
to comply with payment office on this email:(westernunionpayment66@yahoo.fr)
however, kindly contact.Mr.Thomas Hunter, who is in position to release your
payment by western union $5,000 two times per day.

Mr.Thomas Hunter , western union department Financial Bank Benin,
Mobile: 00229-93-411209
E-mail: (westernunionpayment66@yahoo.fr)

The financial western union payment canter has been mandated to issue out
your payment and you have to stop any further communication with any other
person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment.Note
that the administrator payment need this details from you to process your
paymentimmideately:
Receiver name------

Country---------
City--------------
Tel-------------
Test question------
Answer---------
Copy of your id.......
Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr.Thomas
Hunter he will start sending your payment by western union
Regards,
Mr Ezieri Ude

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam