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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic delivery"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "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.
• 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.
  • +22993567581 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: laureenboni@zipmail.com.br
Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:51:53 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?CONTACT=20FEDEX?=

My Dear Good 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 bank to confirm if the Cheque has expired
or getting near to expire and Mrs Sandra Matthew 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$800 000 US
DOLLARS to cash payment to avoid losting this funds. However, all the necessary
arrangement of delivering the US 800 000 US DOLLARS in cash was made with
FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD. in Cotonou Benin Republic,

Mrs Sandra Matthew the Director of Central Bank of West African States(BCEAO)
Cotonou have to package the sum of US$800 000 US DOLLARS in cash for me.
Then she also agreed to help me to Register the Consignment box with FEDEX
COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD. Infact I'm happy that every movement I made
goes normally.

As for our agreement with the FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD. they promised
that your consignment will leave this Country on monday next week,But the
Director of the FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD. 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 DIRECTOR OF FOREIGN DELIVERIES
DEPARTMENT address below.

ATTN: AMINU YAYI
EMAIL: federalexpres@capitalino.com
Website : www.fedex.com

The only money you will send to the Courier Company to deliver your Consignment
direct to your postal Address in your country is ($155.00 US) One Hundred
& fifty Five United States Dollars only being Security Keeping Fee of the
Courier Company so far.Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other
money except $155.00 US Dollars. I would have paid that but they said no
because they don't know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage.


Please, Send them your contact 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

Note.FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD.don't know the contents of the Box.
I registered it as a BOX of an FAMILY VALUABLES. They don't know it contents
money. this is to avoid them delaying with the BOX. don't let them know
that is money that is in that Box. MORE SO BE INFORMED THAT THIS IS A FEDEX
DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY AND NOT ALL FEDEX STAFF ARE AWARE OF THE DELIVERY ONLY
THE DIRECTOR OF FOREIGN DELIVERIES DEPARTMENT. DO CONTACT HIM ALONE DIRECTLY
ON HIS EMAIL.federalexpres@capitalino.com

You call the Director of the company with this line: +229-93-567581

Thanks and Remain Blessed.
DR LAUREEN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam