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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.

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:
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "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. )
• 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.
  • apexbankplc20@bk.ru

Fraud email example:

From: "OFFICE FILEFIRST" <officefilefirst11@ig.com.br>
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:36:55 +0200
Subject: Apex Bank Plc Of Benin Republic.


ATTN: CUSTOMER,

THE MANAGEMENT OF APEX BANK PLC REPUBLIC OF BENIN,WISHES TO INFORM YOU THAT
WE ARE IN RECEIPT OF OUR DRAFT CHEQUE ISSUED IN YOUR FAVOUR IN TUNE OF
$1.950,000.00 USD ONLY,FROM YOUR AGENT AND HE TOLD US TO CANCELLED THE
CHEQUE BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO RECEIVE IT.

THEREFORE YOU ADVISED TO CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY AND TELL US WHAT IS GOING
ON BEFORE WE PROCEED ,YOU CAN CONTACT OUR DIRECTOR MRS GRACE IBEH. ON THIS
ADDRESS:Email( apexbankplc20@bk.ru ) BEFORE WE CAN TAKE ANY ACTION WE ARE
WAITING FOR YOUR URGENT REPLY AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE THIS MAIL .

THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.

YOURS FAITHFULLY,

MR DAN CHUKWU.
Secretary Foreign Operation Department,
Apex Bank Plc Of Benin Republic.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam