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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:

• 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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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.
  • +22993912718 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
  • +22997 (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.
  • obbrepublic@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: ammedbello01@freenet.de
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:32:20 +0100
Subject: RE: INSTRUCTIONS TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF US$1,200,000.00


OCEANIC BANK BENIN PLC

Decceur 01 BP 2600 CotonouRepublique du Bénin
TEL:+ 229
97.13.5706, Fax + 229 31.33.00.210 Release Code No. 0763

Dear
Sir/Madam,

RE: INSTRUCTIONS TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM
OF US$1,200,000.00
We at this bank wish to congratulate and inform you
that after thorough review of your Inheritance/Contract funds transfer
release documents in conjunction with the Banks and the International
Remittance Division assessment report, your payment file was forwarded
to us for immediate transfer of a part-payment US$1,200,000.00 to your
designated bank account from their offshore account with us.The
Auditor’s reports forwarded to us shows that you have been going
through hard times by paying a lot of money to see to the release of
your funds, which has been delayed by some dubious officials.
We
therefore advice that you stop further communication with any
correspondence outside this office as you have met up with right
souce.
The only thing required from you is to obtain the Non-Residential
Clearance Form to enable us credit your account directly by telegraphic
transfer or Re-open new account onlince in your name and give you the
account information as you wish through any of our corresponding banks
and send copies of the funds transfer release documents to you and your
bankers for confirmation.
If you follow our directives, your funds will
be credited and confirm in your bank account within five (5) bank
working days from the day you obtain this Non-Residential Clearance
Form.
For further details and assistance on this Remittance Notice,
kindly forward your CONTACT ADDRESS, TELEPHONE and FAX NUMBERS directly
to our Remittance Divission Department
Contact Person : David
F.Moore
E-mail: obbrepublic@gmail.com
Telephone: +229 93 91 27 18


Yours sincerely,
Mr Ahmed Bello
Head, International Banking Division.

Oceanic Bank Plc, Benin Republic.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam