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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • +22993158204 (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.
  • beninrepublic_ecobank@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "uba_mike468 Gazeta.pl" <uba_mike468@gazeta.pl>
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 10:18:52 +0100
Subject: CONTACT THE BANK IMMEDIATELY FOR THE TRANSFER


*My Dear Friend.*
*
It has been long we communicate last,Well, The reason why I am
contacting you now is because i have verify from the bank director regarding
the transfer of your fund and it was good news because the requested fee
was less expessive for you to afford.*

**

*
your consignment containing your fund ($8000.000) i have deposited it
with the ECOBANK here in Benin Republic so that your fund will be wired
to your account immediately you contact the bank director with your
banking details.



However, I have discussed with the Executive Director/Managing as its
has not been delivered to you, However he told me that your funds can be
transfered to you via a direct wire transfer(KTT) into your account.
He told me to instruct you to contact the bank to apply for a direct
wire transfer into your account to avoid loosing your fund due to delay.



Therefore you can contact the bank through the email below, send to
them your banking information.


ECOBANK BENIN REPUBLIC
20/22 HOSPITAL ROUTE
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
Telephone...+229-93158204 /+229-93864162
EMAIL=(**beninrepublic_ecobank@yahoo.fr* <beninrepublic_ecobank@yahoo.fr>*)
*
*

ECOBANK FOREIGN OPERATION DIRECTOR.
MR. TRAVALY CHEICK


Send an email to the bank with the above bank email and apply for your
wire transfer as i have informed the bank about you already. On receipt
of your fund into your account endeavour to inform me immediately you
receive your fund in your account. The director told me that the only
fee you are to pay is $183,00 USD for the opening of new international
account here in there bank that will be use to transfer the fund to your
destinated account in your country and it will also serve as the bank
transfer charges.


Thanks Remain Bless
Secretary Mr.Mike Uba,*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam