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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.

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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
  • "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 "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
  • anthonyjimmy41@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "barmikeben1 Gazeta.pl" <barmikeben1@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 13:42:49 +0200
Subject: BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS YOU WILL SEND TO MY


*Dear Friend,*

*Sorry for any inconveniences welll, I just want to use this medium to
thank you very much for your earlier assistance to help me in
receiving the inheritance funds, without any positive outcome.*

* I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds
with the help of a new partner from Chile.Contact my secretary in
Cotonou Defederal Republic of Benin .*

*because I have left the whole instruction to him on
your behalf and instruct him where to send the $950.000.00 with out
any further delay for your compensation.*

*He name is Mr Anthony Jimmy Email
(**anthonyjimmy41@yahoo.fr*<anthonyjimmy41@yahoo.fr>
* )
NB:NOTE :BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS YOU WILL SEND TO MY
SECRETARY*

*(1) YOUR FULL NAMES
(2) YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS
(3) YOUR DIRECTCELPHONE NUMBER AND HOUSE PHONE WITH FAX IF ANY .
YOUR COUNTRY*

*In this moment, I'm very busy here in Chile because of the investment.
projects, which the new partner and I are having at hand. So feel
free to get in touch with Anthony Jimmy to send the cheque to you
without any delay. EMAIL ADDRESS
(**anthonyjimmy41@yahoo.fr*<anthonyjimmy41@yahoo.fr>
*)*

*Regards
BarrMike Ben*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam