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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "clearance certificate" (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. )
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "million 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)
• 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.
  • +22993145379 (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.
  • cbwab206@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "charleseze6 Gazeta.pl" <charleseze6@gazeta.pl>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:23:06 +0100
Subject: YOUR FUND RELEASE.


YOUR FUND RELEASE.

ATTENTION

I am Dr Mohamed Charles Eze, the driector of CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICAN
STATES. This is to bring to your notice that my office has taking over all
the money Transaction originated from any part of African/ Europe and Asia
counties etc. as Contract payment, Fund inheritance or Lottery Winning due
to Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies In
releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money Laundry
activities going on world wide.

The World Bank Group has Mandated the CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICAN STATES
via my Office to release funds to beneficiaries through Cash delivery, Hence
Your Name appears as one of The fund beneficiaries whom their fund was
successfully cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry and your
money will be released to you Through International Cashier's Bank Draft
that will be cashable from any International Bank in your country or cash
delivery been the only way you would receive Your money to avoid paying
excess charges.

As regard to this arrangement, you are advised to contact the telex director
Rev Dr Edward Phillip through his direct email: cbwab206@yahoo.fr

CONTACT REV DR EDWARD PHILLIP WITH THE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW.

CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICAN STATES
NAME: Rev Dr Edward Phillip
DIRECT EMAIL: cbwab206@yahoo.fr
DIRECT TEL: + 229 931 453 79

You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers, Your
complete name and your mailing address to Rev Dr Edward Phillip for
Immediate release of your fund to you, Most importantly be aware that one
Million Dollars Only (US1, 500, 000.00) was allocated to you, be also
informed That the Fund Approvals and authorization document Including
Antiterrorist Clearance Certificate was issued in your name and has been
handed over to Rev. Rev Dr Edward Phillip to release to you.

Finally, Rev Dr Edward Phillip is standby to receive your communication and
Release your fund to you through Cash delivery Without further delay. Make
your contact directly to him through Email contact any time because we are
working 24 Hours to be able to meet with the mandate given by the World
Bank.

Thanks for your maximum cooperation.
Dr Mohamed Charles Eze

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam