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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "chief auditor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
• 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.
  • +22993709603 (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.
  • info.atmoffices@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: johnben@freenet.de
Date: Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:54:55 +0200
Subject: Attn:Beneficiary.


Attn:Beneficiary.This is to officially inform you that we have verified
your inheritance payment and found out why you have not received your
funds.It was because you have not fulfiled the obligations given to you
in respect of your overdue payment.Also,You are still dealing with the
none officials appointed for your payment and all your attempt to secure
the release of your fund failed.I wish to advise you that such an
illegal act should stop if you wishes to receive your newly lunched Atm
card payment.Be advised that you are going to send them usd$255 for
official keeping and delivery charges of the Atm Master Card as soon as
you contacts them. I wish to let you know that necessary arrangement has
been put in place to release your fund as your fund was
arranged/carefull edited into Atm Master Card.This is the latest
instruction from Mr.Preident,Thomas Yayi Boni/Ministry of Finance
Benin.The Atm Master card was with the Oceanic International Bank Plc
Cotonou Benin.
Mr.President had Mandated to issue out (usd$800.000.00)
as your part payment for this fiscal year 2008.You have to stop further
contacts with another person(s)Or Office(s) to avoid problems in
receiving your newly Atm Master Card.You will make withdrawals in any
part of the world with the Atm Master card but the amount you will
withdraw perday is ($1,500.00 )Kindly contact the Oceanic Bank
International Plc Benin as detailed below for your Atm Master card. Atm
Department Contacts DataOceanic Bank International Plc Benin
Atm
Manager:Mr.Akuchinyelu Micheal .
phone:+229-93-70-96-03
E-mail:
info.atmoffices@yahoo.fr
Send them thus:
1. Your full names and
Address:::::::::::::::::::::::
2. Your phone and fax
number::::::::::::::::::::::::
4. Your age and current
occupation::::::::::::::::::
6.Country of Origin and name of your
company if any::::
7.Ask them how you will Pay the official and delivery
charges usd$255
Note:Because of imposters,We hereby issed you a code of
conduct which is (ATM-PYT-008) you have to indicate it when contacting
the Atm Department by using it as your subject.
Thanks.
Dr.Justine
John
Chief Auditor To the president
Federal Republic Of Benin.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam