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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
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:52:06 +0100
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT IS NOW READY FOR YOU.


MRS HWOLO  BENLO.
NO 40/MESSOB STREET
MARKET COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
Hello my good friend,
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I am using This opportunity to inform you that this mlti-million-dollarbusiness has Been concluded with the assistance of another partner from Chile who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. Due to your fort,sincerity,courageandtrust
worthiness You showed during thecourse of the transaction. I have left a certified international bank cheque for you worth of $950,000.00 cashable any where in the world wide.
CONTACT: MR.Tom  Domle.
Cotonou, Benin Republic.
His email address: tom260@live.fr
Therefore, you should send him:
1.Your full Name.
2.Telephone number.
3.Your correct mailing address where you want him to send the cheque to you.
4. If you shoose wire transfer forward Your account informations right now.
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
MRS HWOLO  BENLO.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam