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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic delivery"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
  • "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheques " (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 fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• 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.
  • +22993906830 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
  • +22993167736 (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.
  • bankofafricabeninrepublicco@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "lawrence john" <lawrencejohn02@ig.com.br>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 15:10:36 +0200
Subject: CONTACT BANK OF AFRICA FOR YOUR FUND TRANSFER IMMEDIATELY


Attention,

I wish to notify you that because of the delay protocals in transfering your
fund to your account and it has been so long but we have finalised the
immediate transfer of your fund, i would like you to contact Our paying BANK
OF AFRICA with their below information for the transfer schedule of your
FUND and also send them your Bank details and direct contact number for
confirmation of the transfer into your account ,kindly get in contact with
then as you recive this email

BANK OF AFRICA BENIN REPUBLIC COTONOU.
CONTACT PERSON:MR. JONNATHAN C. BROUSH
DIRECTOR OF TELEX (BANK OF AFRICA)
DEPARTMENT:Auditing and accounting unit foreign remitancy department.
EMAIL: bankofafricabeninrepublicco@yahoo.fr
Telephone/Fax: +229-93906830 or +22993-867094

NOTE:THE APPROVAL WAS MADE POSSIBLE AFTER MEETING HELD YESTERDAY WITH THE
UNITED STATE CONGRESS ON FINANCIAL MATTERS REGARDING BENEFICIARIES WHO'S
FUNDS IN SOME BANKS AND CONSIGNMENT THAT HAS BEEN HELD UP IN DIFFERENT AIR
PORTS ALSO BANK DRAFTS AND CHEQUES THAT IS BEEN STOPPED IN VERIOUS AIRPORT
THROUGH SOME DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY FROM AFRICA.

IN THIS REGARD THE AMOUNT TO BE TRANSFERED INTO YOUR ACOUNT IS $
US$10.440,000.00 (Ten Million, Four hundred and Fourty Thousand US
Dollars), INSTRUCTION WAS GIVEN TO THE CREDIT CONTROLLER OF BRITISH
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL DEPT. TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU RECEIVE YOUR FUND WITHIN
48HRS FROM TODAY.BE ADVICED TO COMPLY WITH THE BANK AUTHURITY TO ENABLE THEM
COMPELET YOUR PAYMENT WITHOUT ANY DELAY.FINALY DO NOT FORGET TO MENSION THE
TOTAL AMOUNT TO BE TRANSFERED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT TO THE BANK.

YOUR TO RECONFIRM YOUR INFORMATION AS STATED BELOW.
YOUR FULL NAME ------------------
YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS ---------
YOUR TELEPHONE/FAX ---------
YUOR OCCUPATIONAL STATES -------
AND YOUR ACCOUNT DETAILS STATED ACCORDINGLY.

Let me know as you contact the bank to enable me keep my records .

Awaiting your prompt response;

Best Regards ,

Gneral Van Ben
President WAMI Institute
cotonou benin republic.
Tele:+229 93167736

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam