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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
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "money orders " (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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
• 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.
  • smith_smiller02@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: Mr.Smith Smiller <smith_smiller@wanadoo.es>
Reply-To: smith_smiller01@wanadoo.es
Date: 5 Mar 2006 14:57:44 -0000
Subject: We Need Your Assistance Here!

Content-Type: text/plain

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit




Dear Friend,



I represent Excel Import and Export Company based in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. My company exports cocoa, rubber, timber and other raw materials for world trade.



We are searching for representatives who can help us establish a medium of getting to our customers in Europe, America and other parts of the world as well as making payments through you as our payment officer.



Most of our customers pay out in cheques, travellers' cheque or money orders and we do not have an account in your country that will clear this money. It is upon this note that we seek your assistance to stand in as our representative in your country.



Note that, as our representative, you will receive 10% of whatever amount you clear for the company and the balance will be paid to us. If you are interested in this business transaction, forward to us the information:



(1)Your full names

(2)Contact address

(3)Phone/fax numbers

(4)Age



Thank you for your time.



Very Respectfully,



Mr. Smith Smiller.

CEO, Excel Import/Export Co.



Kindly send your reply to: smith_smiller02@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam