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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.

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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "a reliable and reputable person to handle this" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +22995867954 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "DR MUNA ZALIKA" <dmzalika2@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: munazalika2005@coolgoose.com
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 18:36:35 +0200
Subject: Re:The Claimant/Beneficiary of The Funds


*FROM THE DESK OF DR.MUNA ZALIKA
BILL AND EXCHANGE MANAGER,
FINANCIAL BANK BENIN
COTONOU, BENIN REPUBLIC.
TELEPHONE: +229 95 86 79 54
*
*** *
*STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVATE*
*** *
*Dear Good Friend , *
*** *
*How are you ? I hope you're in good state of health, remain blessed. I'm
writing you from Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin Republic, a country
situated in West of Africa. I would like to use this opportunity to share an
idea for joint venture partnership,may I use this great opportunity to
introduce myself. My name is Dr.Muna Zalika, male, 49 years and a citizen of
Benin Republic.*
*** *
*I am the Deputy General Manager in charge of Credit and marketing in one of
the commercial bank here in Cotonou, Benin Republic. I came to know you in
my private search for a reliable and reputable person to handle this
Confidential Transaction,which involves the transfer of a huge sum of money
to a foreign account requiring maximum confidence.*
*** *
*An investor (our costumer)who died without naming a next of kin to his fund
in my bank.The amount in question is a about Euros 14M( Fourteen million
Euros) and banking regulation/legislation in Benin Republic demand that I
notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory time.The above set of facts
underscores my reason of writing and making the following proposing to
present you as the next of kin.In an account that belongs to one of our,
foreign customers, who died along with his entire family in a plane crash.

Veiw this Website.
**http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm*<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm>
* *
*** *
*I have all the legal and Banking details of our deceased client that will
facilitate our putting you forward as the claimant/beneficiary of the funds
and ultimately transfer the money to any bank account nominated by you.I am
prepared to compensate you with a 35% share of the total funds for your
efforts.5 % will be set aside for expenses incurred during thebusiness and
60 % would be for me and my colleagues. Please contact me immediately
whether or not you are interested in this deal.If you are not,it will enable
me scout for another foreign partner to carry out this deal.

Since we got information about the death of this Bank customer, the Bank top
officials here have been expecting his next of kin to come up and claim the
money that is left behind here in my Bank but unfortunately we learnt that
all his supposed next of kin or relation died alongside with him at the
plane crash leaving nobody behind for the claim.

Your Full Name
Your Bank Name.
Your private telephone No.
Your Fax No.
Your Passport copy.*
*** *
*This is for easy and effective communication and also the location where in
the money will be remitted into. Please note that upon receipt of your
reply, I will immediately send to you by fax or email the text of the next
of kin application. I will also not fail to bring to your notice that this
transaction is a hitch free business transaction and that you should not
entertain any atom of fear as all required arrangements on how this whole
fund will be transferred into your private nominated Bank account in your
country has smoothly arranged by me here.*
*** *
*Trusting to hear from you immediately.

Best regards.
Dr.Muna Zalika.(Bill, Credit & Marketing Manager.)
Tel.No.+229 95 86 79 54
*
*
** *

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam