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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:
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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:

• 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)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "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. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • uba.augustine@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "chidon john" <chidonjohn1@legwork.com.ng>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:45:10 +0200
Subject: Contact my account officer


Dear Friend,

Longest time,i hope all is well together with your family,if so glory be to
God almighty.
I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transfered
with the cooperation of a new partner from paraguay.

We were paid from african development bank in cotonou benin
republic.Presently i'm in Paraguay for investment projects with my own share
of the total sum. Meanwhile,i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts
to assist me in transferring this funds despite we! could not conclude it.I
have decided to compensate you.

Contact my account officer in African Development Bank in Cotonou,Benin
Republic,his name is Mr Augustine uba on his e-mail address (
uba.augustine@yahoo.com) I have raised a certifiecd bank cheque in your name
to the tune of one million,two hundred thousand united states dollars for
you.

Feel free and get in touched with my account office Mr Augustine Uba and
instruct him on where to send the cheque to you at your own expense as i
have done enough by allocating such amount to you.
Even my current partner is not happy that i have to allocate such amount to
you bearing in mind your nonchalant attitude to the transaction at its
crucial stage.

I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which I and the new
partner are handling, So feel free to get in touch with Mr Augustine Uba .he
will inform me immidiately he has oblidged! you the fund.
Best Regards,
Mr.Chidon John

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam