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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
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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:
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22993980839 (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.
  • cidy_cahn@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: "mugambi gideon" <gideonmugambi16@mailbox.hu>
Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 12:03:41 +0200
Subject: COMPENSATION FOR YOUR PAST EFFORT


Dear Sir,

How are you doing? Hope you have not forgotten me, I am Barrister, Gideon M
Esq Lawyer from Benin who contacted you some time ago towards assisting me
secure the release of my late client funds to your account but could not
finalized the transaction.

I wish to inform you on my success getting the fund transferred with
cooperation of a new partner from Cayman Island.However, I am presently in
London-United Kingdom for investment projects with my share.

Meanwhile, I have not forgotten your efforts and assistance rendered hence I
and my new associate have left the sum of, 1,200.000.00(ONE MILLION TWO
THOUSAND US DOLLARS) as appreciation to you.

Kindly accept the token in good faith and please contact my Secretary Mrs
Cidline Chinwe on how to receive the fund as I have left with him
instruction.Please do notify me as soon as you receive the money so that we
can celebrate together the joy. At moment, I, m very busy here with the
investment project me and my partner has at hand.

Enclosed below contact of my Secretary
Mrs Cidline Chinwe
BP 03 6985 Cotonou
Bénin République
Tel/Fax +229 9398 0839
E-mail: cidy_cahn@yahoo.co.uk

I believe that the Almighty particularly made few people like you to bear
the burdens of others, as it is true that nothing lasts on earth but people
like you should last.

Once again, I am grateful for everything.

My regards

Barr. Gideon M Esq

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam