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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +22993184978 (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.
  • paymentcenter_westernunion@yahoo.com
  • file040684.westernunion@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "rayanthonyx13 Gazeta.pl" <rayanthonyx13@gazeta.pl>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 03:57:27 -0700
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER FOR YOUR FUND


Attn: my dear
we have finally arranged for the payment of your ($900.000.00) Nine
hundred thousand united state dollars which was deposited in atm payment
card to be sent to you through western union money transfer.Your payment
will sent to you by western union, the amount you will receive per day is
$7,000.The director of the payment center of western union money tranfer
will be sending you the standard tracking details you need in tracking and
to pick up your ($7,000) daily , you will receive ($7,000) every two days
till you receive the total $900.000.00 united state dollars, We made the
decision to send your funds thruogh western union money transfer becouse of
the cost associated with the transfer of an atm card.The only fee you have
to send them is $240usd that they will be used in obtaining on your behalf
the affidavit of ownership that will prove that you are the real owner the
total sum of $900.000.00. be rest assure that all other fees have been paid
by me.The director of the payment center have already signed your payment,
now you are free to comply with western union payment office on this email:
(paymentcenter_westernunion@yahoo.com)
however, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your
payment by western union $7,000 per day. try and send them the fee of $240
usd immediately to enable them send your fund ok.
Mr Trry Cole,
western union department
Financial Bank Benin,
Mobile: +22993184978
E-mail: paymentcenter_westernunion@yahoo.com
E-mail: file040684.westernunion@gmail.com
The western union payment canter has been mandated to issue out your payment
and you have to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or
office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment.
Note that the director needs this payment details from you to enable him
process your payment:
Receiver name---------------
Country---------------------
City------------------------
Tel-------------------------
MTCN--------------------
Test question---------------
Answer----------------------
Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr Terry
Cole he will start sending your payment and also quote the code number
040684 in your reply to enable them trace your file quikly
Regards,
Mr Ray Anthony

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam