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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million 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)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +22995459088 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "john benson" <john_benson1@msn.com>
Reply-To: john_benson100@myway.com
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 11:41:56 +0000
Subject: WAITING YOUR REPLY.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
CONTRACT AWARDING COMMITTE
ECOWAS OFFICE
COTONOU,REPUBLIC OF BENIN
TEL: +229-95459088


ACCOUNT PROVISION FOR USD10M

Forgive my indignation if this message comes to you as a surprise and if it
might offend you without your prior consent and writing through this
channel. I am MR. JOHN BENSON, The Chairman, Contract Awarding Committee of
the ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES ( ECOWAS).I got your
information in a business directory from the internet website when I was
searching for a reliable,honest and trustworthy person to entrust this
business with.I was simply inspired and motivated to pick your contact from
the many names and lists in the website.

After discussing my view and your profile with my colleagues,they were very
much satisfied and decided to contact you immediately for this mutual
business relationship.We wish to transfer the sum of USD10,000,000.00 (TEN
Million United States Dollars only.)into your personal or company`s bank
account. This fund was a residue of the over invoiced contract bills awarded
by us for the supply of ammunitions, hard/soft wares,
phamaceauticals/medical items,light and heavy duty vehicles, apperals and
other administrative logistics etc for the ECOMOG in Sierria-Leone and
Liberia during the Peace Keeping Projects.

This DEAL was deliberately hatched out and carefully protected with all the
attendant lope holes sealed off. As the Chairman of CAC,I have the
cooperation and mandate of the Financial Director and the Secretary of the
Organisation.We arranged and over invoiced the contract funds supplied by
different companies from different countries during the crisis. It was our
consensus to seek the assistance of a willing foreigner to provide us with
the facilities to transfer this money out of West Africa.This is borne out
of our beleif in the non-stable and sporous political nature of this
sub-region.

The original contractors have been duely paid by the Banque Centrale Des
Etats De L`Afrique De L`Ouest (Central Bank of the West African States)
through our bankers-Eco Bank or any other bank.This balance is suspended in
the escrow accounts awaiting claims by any foreign company of our choice.We
intend to pay out this fund NOW as the organisation is winding up its
activities since the aim of returning PEACE to the countries and the coast
has been achieved. Based on the laws and ethics of employment,we as civil
servants working under this organisation, are not allowed to operate a
foreign account.This is the more reason why we needed your assistance to
provide an account that can sustain this fund for safe keeping and our
future investment with your comprehensive advise, assistance and partnership
in your country. It is however agreed,as the account owner in this deal to
allow you 30% of the entire sum as compensation, 65% will be held on trust
for us while 5% will be used to defray any incidental charges and cost
during the course of the transaction.

This transaction will be successfully concluded within 14 days if you accord
us your unalloyed and due cooperation.You should provide the followings if
you are interest;

YOUR COMPANY`S NAME WITH COMPLETE ADDRESS,TEL AND FAX NUMBERS.(if available)
THE NAME OF YOUR BANK,ITS ADDRESS WITH TEL,FAX AND TELEX NUMBERS.

THE ACCOUNT NUMBER THE COMPLETE MAILING ADRRESS OF THE BENEFICIARY
WITH TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS.

Upon the receipt of this informations, approval documents will be made in
your name and sent to the paying bank for confirmaton and ratification and
subsequent payment. As with the case of all organised (sensitive)and
conspired DEALS,we solicit for your unreserved confidentiality and utmost
secret in this business. We hope to retire peacefully and lead a honourable
business life, afterwards there are no risks involved. Call me directly on
+229459088 on receipt of this message for a talk and more details regarding
this transaction.

Awaiting a swift response.
With regards.

Mr.John Benson
TEL +229459088

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam