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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.

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:
  • "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)
  • "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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
  • +22998084502 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Dr Paul Oguma <ogumapal@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: fedexparceldeliverycomapny@live.fr
Date: Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:55:16 +0100
Subject: Conatct Fedex Delivery Company For Your Box




Hello My Dear,=20

I have paid the fee for your Cheque Draft. but the manager of Eko Bank
Benin told me that before the check will get to you that it will expire. =
So
I told him to cash $1.2million us dollar all the necessary arrangement of
delivering the $1.2million in cash was made with FEDEX DELIVERY COURIER
COMPANY.This is the informations they need to delivery your package to yo=
u.
with FEDEX DELIVERY COURIER COMPANY, contact them now.=20

BELOW IS THE FEDEX DELIVERY COURIER COMPANY INFORMATION'S.=20
NAME: FEDEX COURIER DELIVERING COMPANY.=20
ATTENTION:Rev.Anderson Jeffered
POSITION: FOREIGN DELIVERY DEPARTMENT.
ADDRESS: COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC=20
E-MAIL:(fedexparceldeliverycomapny@live.fr)=20
E-MAIL:(fedexparceldeliverycomapny@live.fr)=20
PHONE NUMBER; +22998084502

Please Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you
immediately they will arrived in your country with your BOX This is what
they need from you.

YOUR CONTRY.........
YOUR FULL NAME...............
YOUR HOME
ADDRESS.............
YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER.............
YOUR NEAREST AIRPORT...................=20

The only money you have to pay them to receive your Consignment Box to
your door step is $145.00 for their Security keeping fee, Please make sur=
e
you send this needed informations to the Director General of FEDEX DELIVE=
RY
COURIER COMPANY BENIN REPUBLIC, Rev.Anderson Jefered with the address giv=
en
to you. Note. The FedEx Delivery Courier Company doesn't know the content=
s
of the Box. I registered it as Box of African cloths. They don't know tha=
t
it contents money. This is to avoid them delaying with the Box. Don't let
them know that your Box contains money. I sincerely apologise for
contacting you very late, it was due to some prevailing circumstance beyo=
nd
my control. I am out of the country for investment. I instructed FedEx no=
t
to carry on the despatch until you contact them to avoid wrong delivery. =
I
supposed to contact you last week, but I was very busy.

Thanks and Remain
Blessed.
Bar Andrew Lamme(ESQ)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam