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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
  • "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. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
  • +22993793834 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
  • +22993134454 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR DAVID RUSH" <davidrush5@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: david_rush@myway.com
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:21:21 +0100
Subject: Re:Contact Ems Shipping Company For Your Box .


*Hello Dear ,*
*** *
*** I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft.but the manager of Financial
Bank Benin told me that before the check will get to you that it will
expire.So i told him to cash $800,000.00.*
*** *
*** All the necessary arrangement of delivering the $800,000.00 in cash was
made with EMS COURIER COMPANY. This is the information they need to delivery
your package to you.*
*** *
*** **ATTN: Mr.Michal Giboda(Director)
EMAIL: **emscourier_delivery@live.fr* <emscourier_delivery@live.fr>
*contact phone number +229-93 79 38 34*
*** *
*** I have paid for the processing and delivery charges.the only money that
your are going to pay to them is only 135 Euro which they will use to
obtain the Affidavit of Ownership from the federal high court of Benin
Republic.*
*** *
*** Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .*
*** *
*** This is what they need from you.*
*** *
*** **1.YOUR FULL NAME............
2.YOUR COUNTRY...........
3.YOUR HOME ADDRESS..............
4.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.........
5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE..........
6.A COPY OF YOUR ID ............ *
*** *
*** Please make sure you send this needed infomation to the Director EMS
COURIER COMPANY.Mr.Michal Giboda (Director) with the address given to you.*
*** *
*** Note. EMS COURIER COMPANY. don't know the contents of the Box.i
register it as 1 Box Sensitive Photographic Film Material,They don't know it
contents money. this is to avoid them delaying with the Box. the Deposit
details:*
*** *
*Deposit Number: PLCC-101-PL45
Sort/Clearance Code: PLC/101-45/P50
Deposit Certificate N0.: 405576
Consignment Description: 1 Box Sensitive Photographic Film Material
Depositor: Mr.David Rush*
*** *
*** I wait to hear from you. *

*Regards,

Mr.David Rush*
*My Tel:+229 93 13 44 54*
**
**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam