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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
  • "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 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.
  • tankomo_44@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Tanko" <tankomo_44@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: sendan@latinmail.com
Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 03:05:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Waiting for your Urgent Response.


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: tankomo_44@yahoo.com

FROM MR. TANKO MOHAMED.

CHIEF AUDITOR MINISTRIE OF FINANCE ECONOMICS.

34 MARVIN SQUARE, COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC.





Dear Sir/Madam,



I am Mr. TANKO MOHAMED, CHIEF AUDITOR MINISTRIE OF FINANCE ECONOMICS COTONUO- BENIN REPUBLIC. I got your information 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 web site.



I wish to transfer the sum of $14,300,000.00 USD (Fourteen Million Three Hundred Thousand United

States Dollars only.into your personal or company`s bank account. This fund was a residue of the over invoiced Industrial Contract bills awarded by MINISTRIE OF FINANCE ECONOMICS COTONUO-BENIN REPUBLIC to some foreign firms. This DEAL was deliberately hatched out and

carefully protected with all the attendant lope holes sealed off.As the chief auditor,I have the cooperation and mandate of the Financial Director and the Secretary. It was my 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 beleive 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)

This balance is suspended in the escrow accounts awaiting claims by any foreign company of our choice.I intend to pay out this fund now as the organisation is winding up its activities.



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.



I have however agreed,as the account owner in this deal to allow you 40% of the entire sum as compensation,why 55% will be held on trust for me while 5% will be used to defray any incidental charges and cost if any. Upon the receipt of your information, the certificate of job

completion of one of the contracts will be issued in your for the transfering of the fund to your nominated account without delay.



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.



REPLY ASAP FOR MORE DETAIL SO THAT WE CAN PROCEED.



N.B

Definitely,a transaction of this magnititude needs funds to execute and make it a reality and before contacted you,I have already studied on how much we would need to

carryout this project,do not be alarmed as We have already save funds for the transaction and also made solid arrangement with a finiance company to assist with funds for the expenses of the transaction.If at any point of the transaction you are been asked for your personal funds for what so ever,kindly back out.


Regards,

MR.TANKO MOHAMED (Chief auditor)

- Mr. Tanko

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam