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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:
  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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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:

• 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:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
  • "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • kouadio_benson3@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • ben225@consultant.com

Fraud email example:

From: kouadio benson <kouadio_benson3@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 09:47:23 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: contact for bussiness


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: kouadio_benson3@yahoo.com

FROM: MR. KOUADIO BENSON

ACCOUNTANT, BANK OF AFRICA

ABIDJAN COTE D'IVOIRE

EMAIL: ben225@consultant.com



Dear Friend



I am Mr Kouadio Benson,the director in charge of auditing and accounting section of a prime Bank here in west Africa.



With due respect and regard,I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end upon your co-operation.



During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on October 31st 1999 in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank without any claim of the fund either from his family or relation before our discovery to this development. Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself to enable the whole plans and idea to move this fund be successful during the time of execution.The said amount was (US$21,500,000M) Twenty One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollar.



Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the bonafide next of kin to

the deceased,and transfer this money to your foreign account has been put in place, and the

needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness

to assist me and also benefit your self to this great business opportunity. In fact I could have

done this alone but because of my position in the bank as a civil servant, we are not allowed to

operate a foreign account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of transfer because I work in this bank.This is the actually the main reason why it will require a second party,very trusted/God fearing person who will forward claims as the next of kin to our Bank and also present an account where this money will be transferred into without problem.



May I at this point emphasize that this transaction is risk free as I have made arrangements for

a successful transfer before contacting you.On smooth conclusion of this transaction,you will be entitled to 40% of the total sum as gratification,while 5% will be set aside to take care of

expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone bills,while 55% will be

for me. Please, you have been adviced to keep top secret as I am still in service and intend to retire from my work after the conclusion of this transaction with you.



Your assistance as a foreigner is necessary because the management is ready to welcome any person, a foreigner who has correct information of this account, which I will give to you immediately,if you are ready to conclude this with me, keeping to my instructions because I don't want to make mistake,I need your strong assurance that this money will be intact pending my arrival in your country for sharing.



Be informed that I will destroy all the documents relating to this transaction immediately after this money has be transferred into your account.



All other necessary information will be sent to you when I hear from you.



I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible on the e-mail address above stating your wish in this transaction for security reasons.



Yours faithfully,


Mr Kouadio Benson

- kouadio benson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam