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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
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• 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:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "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)
  • "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "gbceao4 Gazeta.pl" <gbceao4@gazeta.pl>
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:02:11 +0100
Subject: EXECUTIVE AND CONTRACT PAYMENT.


<http://www.banking-consulting.com/blog/images/logos-ref/logo-bceao.jpg>
*BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L’AFRIQUE DE L’OUEST (BCEAO)
CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA (BCEAO)
Agence principale de Cotonou
Avenue Jean Paul I Cotonou, BP 325 Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Telex : 5211 BCEAO COTONOU,
Tel : 00 229 939 31448
E-MAIL : governor.bceao1@live.fr *

* Our Ref:
BR/102/0005B/06*


*ATTENTION *
**
*RE: PAYMENT OF US$10.5M ON CONTRACT REF: BR/102/0005B/06.


* *Citing your reference for the release and payment of US$10,500,000.00
with Ref: BR/102/0005B/06 and Foreign Exchange Allocation Number BMF-52114
as it appears on our payment schedule Third quarter 2008, be informed that
approval has been given to effect the transfer of the above sum in your
favour.

From the records of outstanding contractors/Next of Kin Fund due for
payment with the Government of Benin Republic, your name and company was
discovered as next on the list of the outstanding Payments who have not yet
received their payments.

I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be
released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from
my record in my file your outstanding part payment is US$10,500,000.00 Ten
million Five hundred thousand united states dollars). As soon as this
information is received, your payment will be made to
you in a Certified Bank Draft or wired to your nominated bank account
through direct (KTT) from CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA (BCEAO).
*



*DR. JOHN BENSON
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR .
CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA (BCEAO)
DIRECT TEL : 00 229 939 31448
REPLY VIA MY E-MAIL BOX ( governor.bceao1@live.fr )*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam