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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "certified bank draft" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +229932348223 (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.
  • africabank2003@sify.com

Fraud email example:

From: charlesudo9@freenet.de
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:39:30 +0100
Subject: IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF OUTSTANDING FUND REF: BR/102/0005B/06


BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L⤙AFRIQUE DE L⤙OUEST
(BCEAO)
CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA (BCEAO)
Agence principale de
Cotonou
Avenue Jean Paul I Cotonou, BP 325 Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Telex : 5211 BCEAO COTONOU, Direct Tel : (+229-9323-48223.

E-mail:africabank2003@sify.com
Our Ref: BR/102/0005B/06 Your Ref:

__________________________________________________________________________
ATTN:
Hounorable Contractor ,

IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF OUTSTANDING FUND REF:
BR/102/0005B/06

From the records of outstanding overdue payment with
the Government of Benin Republic, your name reflected next on the list
of beneficiaries who have not yet received their payments.

We due
respect, I hereby wish to notify you that your payment is being
processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this
letter in reconfirmation. Due to the shortage of fund in our treasury
and the present budget deficit, be informed that you will be paid in
instalment and the first approved instalment is SEVEN MILLION FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND MILLION DOLLARS ($7.5Million).

Please re-confirm to
me if this is inline and re-confirm the followings:

1) Your full
name.:............
2) Phone, fax and mobile number.:.........
3) Company
name and address.:....
4) Position, age and marital status.:.......
5)
Scanned copy of int\' l passport, ID Card, Drivers licences or any form
of identity

As soon as this information is received, your payment
will be made to you in a certified bank draft or wired to your bank
account directly from our correspondence bank. It is important you
call my direct number (+229-9323-48223) for a serious discussion and
transfer arrangement of this amount as soon as you receive this letter.


Get back to me through this secure e-mail box Email:
(africabank2003@sify.com)
Regards,
Yours faithfully,

Dr.Charles
Udo.
Director, Foreign Operations,
BCEAO

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam