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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
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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:

• 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:
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
• 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.
  • +22995062633 (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.
  • droseiowusu1@yahoo.co.in (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: =?iso-8859-1?q?owusu=20osei?= <droseiowusu1@yahoo.co.in>
Reply-To: drowusuosei@o2.pl
Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2006 01:22:22 +0530 (IST)
Subject: I NEED YOUR CO-OPERATION.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: droseiowusu1@yahoo.co.in

Private/Confidential.

Texto del mensaje:


Attn:Dear Chosen Partner,


I am Dr.Owusu Osei , head of auditing and accounting department of Pan-African development finance institution established in 1964 to foster economic growth and social progress in Africa. It is my humble wish to bring to your notice a transaction which I consider most strictly confidential and I will like to let you know that I have made series of enquiry on this issue.


To start with, may I solicit your trust worthiness and confidence on this issue, for the nature of it and my position in the Pan-African development finance institution established in 1964 to foster economic growth and social progress in Africa, it is unlawful to expose any account owner customer banking information to a third party, but for business sake, let it be a secret between both of us. I was made the head of auditing and accounting in the year 1995,in that same year, I carried out a general auditing, then I discovered that there is an account opened in this bank in 1991.After going through some old files in the records, I went further to investigate this account, it was then that I realise that the owner of this account Mr.Andreas Laumann Benz a German national, who died some years ago, unknown to the relatives that such account is existing.


My investigation proved to me that no other person knows about this account or any thing concerning it, as well as the account has no trace of other beneficiary.In 1995, this account contained the sum of $6.3million, but in 1998,I noticed that about $5.6million was transferred to this account from Switzerland and another $4.725million from South Africa was also transferred to it, but up till this day, no withdrawal was made.


In the recent meeting held by the Board of Directors in our bank, it was deliberated on the issue of unclaimed funds lying in our bank, but decided to adjourn the motion as contained in the article 13 (b) sub-section (iv)of the minutes of the BOD's meeting.


I need your full co-operation to make this subject successful because the management is ready to approve this payment to any foreigner who has correct information of this account, which I will give to you immediately if you are capable and willing to handle such transaction with confidence and trust according to my instructions and advise for our mutual benefit because this is a life time opportunity I do not want to miss.


I have to assure you that with my position now in the office I can transfer this money to any reliable foreign account which you can provide with full assurance that this money will be safe and well guided. I will destroy all document of transaction in my office immediately we receive this moneyleaving no trace to any place.


I will use my position and influence to effect legal approvals and onward transfer of this money to your account with appropriate clearance forms of the ministries and foreign exchange departments.If possible You can come to Cotonou Rep. of Benin to discuss with me face to face after which I willmake the remittance in your presence and two of us will fly to your country for withdrawal and sharing. Please reply urgently, also send your private telephone and fax numbers,Bank Account details (Name of Bank, Address, A/C Name etc).I would like us to meet face to face or to sign a binding agreement to ensure that we can receive this money with trust to each other.


I will look forward to your earliest call through my Private telephone.


Yours Truly,

Dr.Owusu Osei

Tell:+229-95062633.

Private Email address:drowusuosei@o2.pl




- owusu osei

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam