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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:
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "the consignment " (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)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: ositannaemeka3@zipmail.com.br
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:51:47 +0200
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?CONTACT=20FEDEX=20COURIER=20SERVICES?=



Dear Friend .
How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have Paid the fee
for your Cheque Draft. And I went to the bankto confirm if the
Cheque has expired or getting near to expire and Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director
of
Central Bank of West African States(BCEAO) told me that before the cheque
will get to your hand that it will expire.

So I told him to cash the $ US$850, 000.00 United States Dollars tocash
payment to avoid losting this funds.However, all the necessary arrangement
of delivering the US$850, 000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS in cash was made
with FEDEX COURIER SERVICES . in Cotonou Benin Republic,

Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Central Bank of West African States(BCEAO)
Cotonou have package the sum of US$850, 000.00 in cash for me.
Then he also agreed to help me to Register the Consignment with FEDEX COURIER
SERVICES. Infact I'm happy that every movement I made goes normally.As for
our agreement with the FEDEX COURIER SERVICES. they promised
that your consignment will leave this Country on monday next week,
But the Director of the FEDEX COURIER SERVICES. said that they need your
contacts informations to able them meet up with you immediately the Diplomat
Agent arrived to your Country.

Please write a letter of application to the given address below.

HERE IS THE COURIER COMPANY INFORMATION'S.
COURIER NAME: FEDEX COURIER SERVICES.
CONTACT PERSON: DR. FRANK DENNIS
POSITION:FOREIGN DELIVERY DEPARTMENT.
ADRESS : COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
E-MAIL: (fedexcourier_company001@yahh.fr )

Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you immediately
they arrived in your country with your BOX .
This is what they need from you.

1.YOUR FULL NAME
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE
6.ID CARD OR INT PASSPORT.

Please make sure you send this needed infoïmation to the Director general
of FEDEX COURIER SERVICES ,
with their address given stated above. Note.The FEDEX COURIER SERVICES
.don't know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a BOX of an Africa
cloths. They don't know it contents money. this is to avoid them delaying
with the BOX. don't let them know that the content of the the Box is
money

Thanks and Remain Blessed.
ENG,BEN TOVIC

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam