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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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• What can you do when you receive 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:

• 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)
  • "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)
  • "foreign remittance department" (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 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.
  • +22993890507 (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.
  • adbbank56@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "morgan james" <infowebs@mailbox.hu>
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 14:13:22 +0100
Subject: AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK PLC


*AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK PLC * *13,BROAD STREET,MARINA,**Benin** Republic
Benin-Republic
TEL/Fax:+229-938-905-07
E-MAIL: adbbank56@yahoo.it<http://it.mc283.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=adbbank56@yahoo.it>
*
**
**
**
**
*FROM THE DESK OF
MR.JOSEPH O.Okolo
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS,
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT,
AFRICAN DEVELOPEMENT BANK
COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC.

ATTN:

During the auditing and closing of all financial records of the African
Developement Bank of Benin (ADB) it was discovered from the records of
outstanding foreign contractors due for payment with the Federal Government
of Benin in the year 2008 that your name came out as the next on the list of
those who will receive their fund.

I wish to officially notify you that your payment is being processed and
will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Kindly
re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your Record and
also re-confirm the information below to enable this office Proceed and
finalize your fund remittance without further delays.

Furnish us with the information’s bellow:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of Drivers License I .D.
6) Your Company Name If Any

As soon as the above information are received, your payment will be Made
available to you via an international BANK TO BANK transfer, which will
be made to your ACCOUNT for your confirmation. You should call my direct
number +229-938-905-07 as soon as you receive this letter for further
Discussion and more clarification.

NOTE: REPLY INTO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS: adbbank56@yahoo.it

BEST REGARDS,

**
Best Regards,


FROM THE DESK OF
MR.JOSEPH O.Okolo
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS,
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam