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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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:
  • "atm payment department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
  • "affidavit of claim" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
• 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.
  • +22993914382 (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.
  • infoatmswiftcarddeptment186@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: SENATOR BEN <charleseze@emsergipe.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:41:26 -0300
Subject: TO INFORM YOU

Dear To Inform,I have been waiting for you since to come down here and pick your inherit=ance claim Bank Draft of ($915.810.00 United States Dollars) but did not =heard from you since that time then I went and deposited the Draft with (=FINANCIAL TRUST BANK ATM MASTER CARD P.L.C) here in Benin Republic, becau=se I travelled to Argentina to see my boss and will not come back till ne=xt month end. I have arranged with them to make your payment to you with =their new ATM MASTER CARD which you can use to withdraw your money in any= ATM MACHINE around the globe.You have to contact the (FINANCIAL TRUST BANK P.L.C) with your full conta=ct informations such as follows.=201.) FULL NAME...........2.) ADDRESS WERE YOU WANT THEM TO SEND THE ATM CARD.........3.) PHONE AND FAX NUMBER..........4.) YOUR AGE AND CURRENT OCCUPATION...........5.) ATTACH COPY OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION...............However, Kindly contact the below person who is in position to release yo=ur ATM MASTER CARD.=20CONTACT ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT (FINANCIAL TRUST BANK P.L.C)DR.RICHARD CHIMA:DIRECTOR GENERALPHONE NUMBER :+229-93-91-43-82 OR 0022-993-914-382EMAIL:(infoatmswiftcarddeptment186@gmail.com)=20I have paid for the processing and delivery charges.The only Money that y=our are going to pay to them is only $125 Dollars which they will use to =obtain the Affidavit Of claim Onwership from the Federal High Court Of Be=nin Republic. Try to contact them as soon as possible to quicken the proc=essing of your card before your draft gets Expired Let me know as soon as= you receive your Card.THANKMr: Kalu OsianRE: OUTSTANDING PAYMENT.Good day, Your Long overdue Payment. I saw your name (in the Central Comp=uter among the list of unpaid contractors,inheritance next of kin and lot=to beneficiaries that was originated from Africa, Europe,Asia Plus Middle= east, Americans ) among the list of individuals and companies that your =unpaid fund has been located to the Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC,Barclay=s Bank, Diamond Bank Of Africa, Natwest Bank Uk, Bank o f America, Centra=l Bank Of West Africa(BCEAO).Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a part-paymen=t of $10 million and has been approved already for months. You are reques=ted to get back to me for more direction and instruction on how to receiv=e your fund. However, we received an email from one Mr. Robert Water who =told us that he is your next of kin and that you died in a car accident l=ast week.Dr Robert Water account co-ordinate as follows:Bank of LebanonA/c no:890458984589Routing No:bl 275-79665Aba no:BL-A

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam