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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • +22993003223 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
  • +2292133232132 (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.
  • tonysoglo24@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: soglo_tony06@zipmail.com.br
Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:10:19 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?ATTEN=3A=20DEAR=20TRUSTING=20FRIEND=2C?=

From the Desk of Mr Tony Soglo
UniversalTrust Bank Cotonou Benin
Address: C/48 plot 12 Jerico
Phone: +229 21 33 23 21 32
Fax : +229 21 33 23 1123
Mobile: +229 93 00 32 23
Email: tonysoglo24@yahoo.fr

ATTEN: DEAR TRUSTING FRIEND,
I honestly apologize and hope I do not cause you much embarrassment by
contacting you through this means for a transaction of this magnitude. This
message could be strange but it's real if you pay some attention to it,
Due to the confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this medium, it
became necessary for me to seek your assistance and it is imperative for
me to know your opinion.

In a brief introduction, I am Mr Tony Soglo, the Director of Operation with
Universal Trust Bank Cotonou-Benin Republic. I have a very interesting deal
to discuss with you, the deal under discussion has to do with Mr George
C.Hudson a national of your country, who was employed as a Consultant/contractor
with Societe Nationale Des Products D' Agricole (SONAPRA) a cotton manufacturing
company in Cotonou-Benin.

On 25th December 2003, Mr. George C.Hudson with his wife and their only
daughter was involved in a plane crash victims with Boe 727-type air plane
belonging to African Transport Union (UTA). In this fatal tragidy with Beirut-bound
flight, 110 persons died and Over 40 others still reported missing, while
22 passengers survived, you may confirm the event of the air crash throug,http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3350455.stm
or(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3353551.stm).

Consequently, Mr George C.Hudson made a numbered time (fixed) deposited
for twelve calendar and his account with our Bank accrues to about (Three
Million, Two hundred and Fifty- Two Thousand US Dollars) USDM3.252,000.00.
Hence my decision to contact you so that you and I will go into partnership
hence late Mr George C.Hudson has no other relative to claim his left fund
in our bank. However,the nature of your business is completely irrelevant
to this transaction as all I need from you is an assurance that my interest
will be fully protected once this deal is concluded.

All I want you to do is to ACT as the next of kin of Late Mr George C.Hudson
because you are a foreigner like him which makes this claim straight forward,
this fund will be reverted to the government ownnership as abaundoned treasury
if no body applies as his next of kin. Therefore, you as a foreigner is
fully qualified to stand as the next of kin to late Mr George C.Hudson so
that the fruits of this old man's labour will not get into the hands of
some corrupt government officials as the expiration period is at hand.

Please note that There is no risk at all, my position as the Director of
Operation guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. It is
expected that upon the receipt of your acceptance, this transaction will
be concluded within 7 Banking days and the money will be paid into your
account for us to share in the ratio of 40% for you and 60% for me. Please
if you are interested kindly reply me with my alternative email: tonysoglo24@yahoo.fr
and also you send to me your private phone, or mobile numbers for easier
correspondence.or you can give me a call on 00229-93 00 32 23.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best Regards,
Mr Tony Soglo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam