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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
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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:
  • "million united states 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
• 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.
  • +22997470675 (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.
  • chidi_abiola@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "chidi abiola" <abiolachidi3@klikni.cz>
Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 10:35:40 +0100
Subject: To you Personal /Reply


*To you Personal /Reply*



*Dear! ,

l am Mr. Chidi Abiola based in cotonou,Rep.of Benin , This is the second
time I am sending this message to you, try and reply this.l have
$28,000,000USD=(Twenty eight million United states dollars) inheritance fund
from my late brother in a Private Equity Investment Trust Company for safe
keeping here in Cotonou.

I am willing to offer you 25% of the total fund if you can assist me in
transfering this fund to your country .I wishes to invest in a stable
economy.

My interest is in companies with potentials for
rapid growth in long terms. My name is Mr.Chidi Abiola. A son of late
chief M.K. Abiola.

I am interested in placing part of this fund in your company,if your
country`s bi-laws allows foreign investment.
Respond to my private email address: chidi_abiola@yahoo.com*
*I wait your urgent response,my phone number is +229-97-470-675.

Regards,
Mr.Chidi Abiola.*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam