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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +22993165255 (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.
  • western_union1988@ommail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "hill john" <hilljohn9@hosanna.net>
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:46:03 +0100
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION TO SEND YOU YOUR PAYMENT


Attn:My Dear;

now we have arranged your payment of ($1,5000.000.00) One Million Five
hundred thousand united state dollars in atm payment card to be sent to you
through western union money transfer payment:

Your payment will sending to you by western union, the amount you will
receive per day is $5,000
The minister trust funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently
standards track details you need to pick up your ($5,000) payment by western
union, you will receive every two days till you receive the $1,5000.000.00
united state dollars,

now no need to send you this atm card because you can not be able to
withdraw the atm card due to the atm master card contain large money on it.
the only fee you have to send them is $135.00 usd that they will use to
obtain insurance transfer and claims of affadvite that will prove that the
parcel that consist total sum of $1,5000.000.00 belong to you be rest assure
that all other fees have been paid by me.

The director administrtor trust funds have already signed your payment, now
you are free to comply with wemaco payment office on this email:(
western_union1988@ommail.com)
however, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your
payment by western union per $5,000 a day.try and send them the fee of
$135.00 usd immediately let aneble them send your fund ok. Mr Obeluo Amechi,
western union department
Financial Bank Benin,

Mobile: +229 93 16 52 55
E-mail: (western_union1988@ommail.com) The financial western union payment
canter has been mandated to issue out your payment and you have to stop any
further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any
hitches in receiving your payment.
Note that the administrator payment need this details from you to process
your payment:

Receiver name---------------
Country---------------------
City------------------------
Tel-------------------------
Test question---------------
Answer----------------------

Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr Obeluo
Amechi he will start sending your payment by western union
Regards,
Dr Hill John

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam