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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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)
  • "is 100% risk-free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "the help of diplomats" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: uche_m3@zipmail.com.br
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 20:29:13 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?DEAR=20FRIEND=2C=20I=20NEED=20YOUR=20REPLY=2E?=

FROM THE DESK OF:
MR.UCHE MARTINS.
Cemac Bank of africa Plc.
(Bank For International Settlement)
Headquarters Complex Cotonou,
Republic Of Benin.

MY DEAR GOOD & TRUSTED FRIEND.

MY NAME IS MR.UCHE MARTINS.

Iam the head of Operations Cemac Bank of Africa Plc. Sometime in 1996,a
certain man MR. DONALD WILLIAMS. brought a luggage marked family treasure
to me for safe-keeping in our bank.

I met the man in 1990 in America and he introduced himself as a SHIP CAPTAIN.We
became intimate more when he realized my profession,there and then, heinformed
me about A consignment.

However, I did not take it so serious not until he brought the box to my
office and CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT issued to him.However,he saw me as someone
trustworthy and decided to hand-over the document to me for safe-keeping.


He left back to his country, though he is always on the Sea being a Sailor.

All our correspondence was through telephone.Our discussion stopped since
Year 2000 when I called his telephone number, and behold someone else had
bought over the telephone. the new subscriber told me that MR.DONALD WILLIAMS
died along-side, his wife and only two children at the World Trade Centre
during the BIN-LADEN bomb blast, in America.

This news shocked me so much that MR. DONALD WILLIAMS did not leave any
of his contact address or next of kin, and since then all plans to trace
any of his relatives proved abortive. Honestly, I became confused, and resorted
to informing my colleague in the office, who suggested that we should open
the box a little to know the content proper.

The box was carefully opened and GUESS WHAT? BILLS OF ONE HUNDRED UNITED
STATE DOLLARS ($100 denomination). I and my colleague agreed and secretly
took the box out from the bank and deposited it with a SECURITY COMPANY
HERE IN COTONOU, REPUBLIC OF BENIN as a photographic & film matrials as
we dont want them to know the real content to avoid tamper or diverting
it to another place.

We have concluded plans to invest the money total Eight Million United States
Dollars $8M(USD) out of Cotonou, Republic Of Benin and required an assistance
from a Would-be Trustworthy Over-Seas Partner who will help us receive &
invest the money overseas.

If you can assist us, we can arrange and bring the money to your country
by the help of Diplomats through diplomatic turnel, for investment in any
profitable business you may advise. I and my colleague has agreed to give
you 30% of the total sum.

Be rest-assured that the transaction is 100% risk-free, legal and legitimate,all
the arrangemnts has been finalised. your urgent response is highly needed.

So we cannot look for another person.

Sincerely yours.
MR.UCHE MARTINS.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam