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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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.

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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)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +2289083841 (Togo, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "benson ede" <bensonede01@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: bensonede01@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 21:40:07 +0000
Subject: PAYMENT ALLOCATION OF USD$10.5M


ECOWAS BANK FOR INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT
LOME-TOGO.
FROM THE DESK OF MR.BENSON EDE



Dear Sir,

PAYMENT ALLOCATION OF USD$10.5M

We apologies, for the delay of your payment and all the inconveniences and
inflict that we might have indulge you through.

However, we were having some minor problems with our payment system, which
is inexplicable, and have held us stranded and indolent, not having the
aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting foreign payments. We
apologies once again.

From the records of outstanding inheritance fund due for payment with the
federal government of Togo, your name was discovered as next kin on the list
of the outstanding inheritance fund who have not yet received their
payments.

I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square whole and can
be voguish for that your payment is being processed and will be released to
you as soon as you respond to this letter.

Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding Inheritance
payment with us is US$10.5M, (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars only)

Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:
(1) Your full name.
(2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
(3) company's name,position and address.
(4)profession, age and marital status.

As soon as this informations are received, your payment will be made to you
in a certified bank transfer from Ecowas Bank For Investment & Development,
Lome-Togo and a copy of doucments will be given to you for your Confirmation
of your payment.

For further clarification you can always reach me on my direct number
at:+228-908-3841.

Regards,

MR.BENSON EDE,

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam