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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:

• 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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "demurrage fee" (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. )
  • "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
  • "cheque " (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 next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • mrsrosecollins3@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "fernandezwilliams Gazeta.pl" <fernandezwilliams@gazeta.pl>
Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 20:06:07 +0100
Subject: YOUR INHERITANCE FUND.


*UNITED NATIONS LIAISON OFFICE REPUBLIC OF BENIN
9 BP 152 PORTO NOVO, CARREFOUR 24 REPUBLIC DE BENIN
OUR REF: UNN/BN/TF/013/07 IMMEDIATE PAYMENT #: WB/PC/FMF/MIN/UN/SB1/07.

FROM THE DESK OF FERNANDEZ WILLIAM.
SECETARY GENERAL UNITED NATION ORGANISATION BENIN (U.N.O)

YOUR INHERITANCE FUND.

I am the Publicity officer, and following to the meeting held with the
American President W.Bush with the World Bank Paris Club, Spare Bank1
Midt-Norge Board of Directors with the Board of Directors of United Nations
Representative here in Benin Republic by her Majesty the Minister of
Finance, to release long terms debt owned in Africa to Foreigners whom has
been one way or the other denied their payment due, we find out that you are
not dealing with the right people.

Following to the minutes of the Meeting, the Organisation have now decide to
pay you, the amount of (us$850.000.00), by International Certified Bank
Cheque and you should list all the money you have spend to the hands of
those impostors since last year, because in our meeting with the president
of united state of American that we are going to pay all the beneficiaries
that have lost their money in the hands of those impostors with interest.

Finally for this arrangement of payment by the United Nation all
beneficiaries who lost their monies should comply immediately you receive
this message so that we can update your government as soon as you receive
your cheque from us.

In this issue you are been advice to stop any further communication with
those impostors, because you are not going to received any thing good from
them. As an individual you have to think within yourself that you have been
spending money for years without getting even one cent. Please stop
communicating with them because if we try to find out that you are Still in
contact with those impostors we will report you to American Government for
references purpose this is the meeting we held with the American government
to enable us pay up those funds as soon as possible.

We want to inform you that we have started an investigation to trap those
people you have been sending money to for years till now. You are now
advised to contact Ms Rose Collins, the Assistant Director of Express
Courier and Security Company where we deposited your cheque here in BENIN Du
REPUBLIC, they will deliver your cheque at your door step with a cheaper
rate, which the company in charge Express said that it will only cost you
the sum of $95.00 U.S dollars only, So you have to Contact them and register
with them now. You are required to contact them and send your full
information such as: Your direct phone Number and your receiving address to
Avoid wrong delivery, You should also tell the Company to give you the
Information and how you will send them the Security keeping fee of ($95 us)
Immediately you Contact them to enable them deliver your cashier cheque of
$850.000.00 USD to your Door step.

Bellow is their Contact Address:

CONTACT PERSON: Ms Rose Collins.
COMPANY NAME: Express Courier / Security Company.
E-Mail :( **mrsrosecollins3@yahoo.fr* <mrsrosecollins3@yahoo.fr>* )

Contact them now note that it needs urgent action to avoid demurrage fee. So
forward your receiving address to them to avoid mistake or wrong delivery,
and please do inform us as soon as you receive your cheque.

Yours Faithful
Fernandez William,
SECETARY GENERAL UNITED NATION LIAISON OFFICE ORGANISATION BENIN
REPUBLIC.*

**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam