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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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• 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:

• 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22993879993 (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_union63@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:46:07 +0100
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION FOR TRANSFERING YOUR FUND


THIS MESSAGE IS COMEING FROM THE DESK
OF Mr JOHN HILLMAN ESQ HAERD OF
FINANCE MINISTER OF FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
---------------------------------------------------------
Attn:My Dear ,

The Board of Federal Ministry of Finance Benin Republic. are
here to notify you of your payment inherited funds of
$900,000,00  united state dollars After the meeting held on
2th of may 2008.His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF BENIN DR YAYI BONI. Has instructed this
Department to send your funds to you through western union
money transfer and or money grom  for easier received of
your inherited funds without any further delay.Now your fund
will be sending  to you  throw  financial  payment center
western union office for transferying,
To avoid paying money to the fraud stars that is going on
through the global.Contact financial payment center via the
email(  western_union63@yahoo.fr  ) immediately  with your name and
address were you want your fund to be send through western
union.The maximum amount you will be receiving each day
starting from tomorrow is the sum of $5000.00. so sent to
them your information such as,
Your Receiver name----------------------------
Your country-------------------------
Address--------------------------------
text Question------------------------
Answer--------------
Tel phone-----------------------------
Attach of your id or picture-------
Forword this your information to them via this
email ( western_union63@yahoo.fr  )
Contact person; MR Michael Paul
Tell; +229-93 879 993
Remember that we have settled the transfering charges ok,
The only money which you are to send to them is the sum of
$125 dollar for re-newing and reconfirming your file that
was deposited in this office and also your insurance
certificate inorder to guaranty every thing,  Ask them where
you can send the money to them,
Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details
to MR Michael Paul He will start sending your payment
from the western union or call her line +229-9387 9993
Regards,
Mr JOHN HILLMAN
ESQ FINANCE MINISTER
REPUBLIC OF BENIN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam