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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:
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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.
  • +22993697920 (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.
  • gspcourier_company0809@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "officefile_25 Gazeta.pl" <officefile_25@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 10:49:21 +0200
Subject: CONTACT GLOBAL SPEED COURIER COMPANY!!!


Attention Dear,

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 $1.5million usd all the necessary arrangement of delivering the
$1.5million in cash was made with GLOBAL SPEED COURIER COMPANY BENIN.


The only money they will need from you is the security keeping fee $105usd
because i would have paid it for you but they said no that they dont know
when you will be contacting them so try and contact them immediately to
avoid increasing the security keeping fee.


This is the information they need to delivery your consignment to you
contact person is Director general of GLOBAL SPEED COURIER COMPANY BENIN, Dr
DAVID AKA TEl: +229-9369-7920 or 00229-9369-7920.

EMAIL:( gspcourier_company0809@yahoo.com )

Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived your country with your BOX .This is what they need
from you so that there will be no mistake in delivering the consignment box.


1. YOUR FULL NAME___________________________________
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.________________________________
3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER._______________
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.______________________
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE_______________________________


Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director general of
GLOBAL SPEED COURIER COMPANY BENIN DR,DAVID AKA with the address given to
you.Note. The GLOBAL SPEED COURIER COMPANY BENIN don't know the contents of
the Box.


I registered it as a Box of an African clothes. They don't know it contents
money. this is to avoid them delaying with the Box. don't let them know that
is money that is in the Box.I am waiting for your urgent response you can
even call the Director of GLOBAL SPEED COURIER COMPANY BENIN with this line
+229-9369-7920 or 00229-9369-7920 Please use this code number as your
subject when contacting them ( 05874SGM )with this code they will know you
as the real owner of the consignment i registered with them.


Thanks and Remain Blessed
NELSON UDO.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam