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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +22993812488 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: James Salam <jamessalam21@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:54:31 +0100
Subject: CONTACT MR. NINAS BENSON IMMEDIATLY.



Dear friend,

It is my pleasure to let you know about my success in getting those fund transffered under the cooperation of a new partner from germany. I didn't forget your past efforts to assit me in transffering those funds.

Now contact my secretary Mr. Ninas Benson, ask him to send you the One Million and Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only ($1.5Million USD) in a Certified Bank Cheque which i kept for your compensation, below is his necessary contact information to enable you contact my secretary.
Name: Ninas BensonAddress: 112 Cotonou RoadEmail: ninasbenson1@yahoo.frTel: +229-9381-2488
so feel free and get intouched with him and give him your address where to send the cheque:
1. FULL NAME 2. ADDRESS .........................3. COUNTRY ..................4. PRIVATE TEL ............................5. PRIVATE FAX . ....................................6. OCCUPATION....................................

Let me know immediately you receive it for us to share the joy.i'm very busy here with investment projects which i am having at hand, finally,i left instruction to the secretary Mr. Ninas Benson on your behalf,so feel free to get intouch with him.

Best regards,Dr. James Salam.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam