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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)
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "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 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.
  • bola_ahmed01@hotmail.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "BOLA AHMED" <bolaahmed@me.by>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 10:01:21 +0100
Subject: LOOKING FOR PARTNERSHIP ON INVESTMENT FUND.


Dear friend,

Can i entrust the sum of US$10.6m-Ten million Six hundred Thousand US
dollars to your care for our mutual benefit / investment? if so, please
forward your details.This is very urgent and confidential and should be
treated as such.

I was opportuned to mop up the said amount from some unexecuted contracts in
our institution with the cooperation of our internal auditors during a
quaterly routine check,just concluded in Bank of Africa,cotonou,benin
republic where i work as a manager in the foreign operation department.

To perfect this arrangement,i will raise a payment voucher in your favour
and include your name in our payment schedule for this month and funds paid
to you through our europe or Asia affiliate as contract executed with our
bank.

So forward your full names or company's name,address with which to raise a
payment voucher and secure internal approvals in a few days and also,your
private phone number for effective communication between us.

Being an insider here,be rest assured that a lot of protocols will be
breached and the transfer process handled expressly.If this offer appeals
to you,do revert to me as a matter of urgency with your particulars.For
obvious security reasons,it is advisable you reply through this my
alternative Email: bola_ahmed01@hotmail.fr

Best Regards,
Bola Ahmed.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam