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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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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:

• 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:
  • "required fee " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "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 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.
  • +22993426021 (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.
  • info.imfbeninrep40@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "minisetroffinanancepaulh Gazeta.pl" <minisetroffinanancepaulh@gazeta.pl>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 15:55:48 +0200
Subject: FROM DESK OF PAUL HENRY MINISTER OF FINANCE BENIN REPUBLIC


*FROM DESK OF PAUL HENRY.
MINISTER OF FINANCE BENIN REPUBLIC.
FORGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE.
1425 JEDJELAYE PKONNDOUHOU COTONOU
BENIN REPUBLIC WEST AFRICA.
Email: **info.imfbeninrep40@yahoo.fr* <info.imfbeninrep40@yahoo.fr>*
MOBILE...+229-93-42-60-21*

*ATTENTION;DEAR,SIR/MADAM.*

*The Board of ministry of finance benin republic. are here to notify you of
your payment inherited funds of ($800,000.00)U.S DOLLAR. after the meeting
held on 30th of APRIL 2008. His Exelence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC
OF BENIN DR YAYI BONI. has Instructed this Department to send your funds
through western union money transfer for easier receive of your inherinted
funds without any further delay. to avoid paying money to the fraud stars
that is going on through the global. you are required to send your name and
address were you want your fund to be send through western union the
maximium amount you will be receiving each day starting from tomorrow is the
sum of $7000.00. also your are required to send us the sum of $180 dollar
for re-newing and recofirming your file that was deposited in this office
with your name and address bellow .*

*Beneficiary name--------------------*


*Address--------------------------------*

*Tel phone----------------------------- *

* *

*Picture --------------------------------*


*Contact me with this informations below:
CONTACT PERSON: HON.PAUL HENRY.
EMAIL: **info.imfbeninrep40@yahoo.fr* <info.imfbeninrep40@yahoo.fr>* *

*As soon the required fee of $180 is send today for the renewing
reconfirming the payment file of your funds you will start receiving your
funds as from tomorrow.
Send the $180 dollar through western union with the name and address below:*

*Receiver name ------------------------- ANTHONY AFIOCHA*


*City----------------------------------------COTONOU*


*Country-----------------------------------BENIN REPUBLIC*


*Test Question-------------------------------HONEST*


*Test Answer----------------------------------TRUST*


*Amount---------------------------------------------$180*

*We await to receive the western union payment informations today.
Please if you are not the reall beneficiary don't respond on this.
Yours in service
HON.PAUL HENRY
MINISTER OF FINANCE BENIN. *

**

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam