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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "swift card payment center" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
  • "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.
  • +22993158157 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "oceanicbankplcbenin Gazeta.pl" <oceanicbankplcbenin@gazeta.pl>
Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 15:31:03 +0200
Subject: From International Settlement Dept Bank.


>From International Settlement Dept Bank.
Oceanic bank international plc.
Tel: +229-93-158-157.
211, Agaliovu Ave, Wete Akpakpa,
Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Email; atmdepartmentservice@live.fr

Attention:Beneficiary,

Nice meeting you,although it hard taking us time to approval the payment to
you after some confirmation that the funds belong to you.but You have Failed
To Claim it Because Of one thing or the other which have been pasterns .Note
that this bank has been assigned to settle such debt by the Oceanic Bank
through ATM debit Card. So We Wish To Bring To You The Solution To This
Problem. Right Now We Have Arranged Your Payment Through Our Swift Card
Payment Centers, That Is The Latest Instruction From Economic Community Of
West African States (ECO WAS)

This Card Center Will be Send To You An ATM DEBIT Card Which You Will Use To
Withdraw Your Money In Any ATM Machine In Any Part Of The World, So If You
Like To Receive Your Fund In This Way, Please Let Us Know By Contacting Us
Back And Also Send The Following Information As Listed Below.

1. Full Name
2. Phone And Fax Number
3. Address Were You Want The ATM Card To Send
(P.O Box Not Acceptable)
4. Your Age And Current Occupation
5. Attach Copy Of Your Identification

We Have Been Mandated By The ECO WAS Parliament To Issue Out USD$1.5m usd
Million in your favour This fiscal year 2008. Also For Your Information,
You Have To Stop Any Further Communication With Any Other Person (S) Or
Office(S) To Avoid Any Hitches In Receiving Your Payment.

Dr.George Ali Usman.
Director in Charge,
international Settlement Dept.
Oceanic bank international plc.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam