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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:
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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)
  • "director of operations foreign remittance division" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "foreign remittance division" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• 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 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.
  • infoimfbeninrep@rocketmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "john herman" <hermanjohn@e-mail.ua>
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 14:12:04 +0200
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION IMMDIATELY NOW TO HAVE YOUR FUND


DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DIVISION ATM
INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC BENIN
WEST AFRICA Attn My Dear:
Now we have arranged your payment of ($2.5millions) One millions five
hundred thousand united state dollars in atm payment card to be sent to you
through western union money transfer payment: Your payment will sending to
you by western union, the amount you will receive per day is $4500.00The
minister trust funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently standards
track details you need to pick up your ($4500.00) payment by western union,
you will receive every day till you receive the $2.5millions united state
dollars, now no need to send you this atm card because you can not be able
to withdraw the atm card due to the atm master card contain large money on
it.The director administretor trust funds have already signed your payment,
now you are free to comply with wemaco payment office on this email: (
infoimfbeninrep@rocketmail.com)
However, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your
payment by western union per $4500 a day.Mr Jerry Cook,
western union department
Financial Bank Benin,
Mobile: +2229-9312-8653
E-mail: (infoimfbeninrep@rocketmail.com)
The financial 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.

1.YOUR FULL NAME_____________________
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS._________________
3.YOUR CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER._____
4.COPY OF YOUR PICTURE_______________
5.SEX________________________________
6.AGE________________________________
Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr Ben Mike
he will start sending your payment by western union Regards to you and your
family ,Thanks and be bless .
Mr James Micheal
THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DIVISION

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam