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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:

• 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:
  • "trunk box" (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.
  • +22993771892 (Benin, probably a 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.
  • fedexcourierdelivery_file@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: jerryfile23@zipmail.com.br
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:48:21 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?DIRECT=20FEDEX=20BENIN=20WHERE=20TO=20SEND=20YOUR=20COMPENSATION=20IMMEDIATELY=2E?=

From,Engr.Lawrence J.Kole.
Dear,

Happy new year.I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those
funds transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from Paraguay.
Presently I am leaving this country by 9 pm flight tomorrow my time for
investment projects with my own share of the total sum. Meanwhile, I didn't
forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those
funds despite that it failed us some how.I drafted a cashier cheque of ($800.000.00)
Eight hundred thousand United Stated Dollars to compensate you.I planned
to mail the cheque to you through Cotonou local Post,Fustunately,the Eco
Bank Forign Remmittance Manager explained that your bank in United Stated
will not pay you due to fraud act in this world and again before the cheque
will get to you through lo cal post,it will be expire.I dont have any other
option than to follow him instruction.

The Eco Bank manager has converted the cheque into cashed and help me registered
the box of fund as consigment with FEDEX COMPANY for immediately delivery
to you.Please dont delay in sending your information because I'm not comfortable
as the box is lying there while no body knows that real content.
Feel Free to contact Mr.Jimi Akan FEDEX DEPARMENT DIRECTOR BENIN, Email(fedexcourierdelivery_file@yahoo.fr)
Phone +229-93771892.

Instruct him where to deliver your package immediately.I have paid for
the deliverying charge and registeration fee while onlything delaying for
the shipment is your delivery informations below,(1)Full Name (2)Receiving
Address (3)Age (4)Your Phone Number.Remember to Include your Registeration
Number below(DHXX586) to avoid wrong delivery.NOTE,dont let the anybody
in the FEDEX COMPANY to know that the trunk box contain money because I
deposited the package as African Cloths.

I told Mr.Akan that you want to share the cloths to all your customer in
your city and you need the package urgently.So dont let them know the really
content of the box to avoid them run away with the box.
I tried your telephone number but is not reachable and I dont know when
you will check your email meanwhile,I told Dr.Marthins Dave EcoBank Accountant
to retrieve the package incase you do not receive my massage and the key
of box still with him beacuse he advice me not to send the key to you through
thesame courier for security reasons.
Do let me know as soon as you receive the package and its content so that
both of us will share joy together.

Engr.lawrence J.Kole

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam