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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
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• 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.

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge deposit" (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)
  • "confidentiality of this transaction" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +2348038071318 (Nigeria, 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.
  • paul_b_en@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "paul benson" <bpb_onye3@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: paul_bensono@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:02:25 +0000
Subject: YOUR INTEREST IS NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHAMBER OF JUSTICE

Your Ref...................................Our Ref..................................Date..15-3 -2007.. Telephone: 234-80-3807-1318 , Email: paul_b_en@yahoo.com

Dear Friend,

I am Barrister Paul Benson, Principal Attorney to Late Engr. Michael Sudan, who used to work with a Multi-National oil Firm in Nigeria. Who is my client, but unfortunately lost his life on car accident along sabama express road last year 16th August 2006.

Since then I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clientsextended Relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to contact you since my client is a foreigner, it shall proved you as his relative and the bank will transfer the money left behind by my client to your account as his next of kin without suspicious.

Therefore I need your assist in receiving the money before they getconfiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged.The Credit Coporation Bank{CCB} where the deceased had an account valued at about ($10.857.060.00(Ten Million Eight Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand Sixty united State Dollars) has Issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or relative to apply for the claim before the account will be declare unserviceable or be closed within
the next fourteen official working days.

I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin/relative of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at ($10.857.060.00(Ten Million Eight Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand Sixty united State Dollars) can be paid into your account and then you and me Can share the Funds 45/45,while the remening 10% will be put for any expenses for our mutual benefit 45% for me and 45% to you.

All I require is your full name, address your telephone and Fax number for effective comunication, your occupation and date of birth to enable me apply for the release of the money through Federal High Court of Nigeria. Your honest co-operation will enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of the law.

Best regards
Barrister Paul Benson.

Note: That all the documents backing this funds will be mailed to you once you agree to assist me and keep the confidentiality of this transaction. Please contact me.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam