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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "with absolute secrecy" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • bekyovo001@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "BEKEE YOVO" <drbekyovo1@ig.com.br>
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 14:08:45 +0100
Subject: URGENT ATTN: DEAR FRIEND! ! !


*From:Mr.Bekee Yovo,*

Attn:Dear Friend.

I apologize if the contents in this mail are contrary to your moral ethics,
which I feel may be of great disturbance to your personal life, But please
treat with absolute secrecy and personal. I pray that this email reaches you
in the best of health.

I am DR BEKEE YOVO the Director of Operation with ECO BANK Cotonou, Republic
of Benin.One of our customers Engr Ron C.Alexander,with his entire family
were among the victims of December 25, 2003 Air-Crash.

*For more about the Air Crash you can visit the CNN web news* *for the
tragedy.*
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/

Before his death, he has an account with us valued at Ten Million, Six
hundred and Fifty Thousand US Dollars ( $USD10.650M)According to the Benin
Law, at the expiration of (Five) years, the money will revert to the
ownership of the Benin government if nobody applies to claim the funds.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in
as the next of kin or Distant Cousin for us to claim this money, so that the
fruits of this old man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt
government officials who will latter use the money to sponsor war in Africa
and kill innocent citizens in the search for political power.

Please note that there will be no problem as my bank has made all effort
through your embassy here in Cotonou, Benin Republic to reach for any
Relation but all was fruitless. My position as the Director of Operation in
this bank guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. If you
are interested and in agreement with me, please write back immediately.

This money will be shared 50% each once the funds is transferred to your
account in your country or anywhere else. If not interested please distroy
the mail because of the confidentiality attached to it. I promise that this
transaction will be done under a legitimate arrangement that will protect
both of us from any breach of the law. If you are interested kindly reply
asap.(bekyovo001@yahoo.fr)

Get back to me as soon as you receive this message.


Best Regards,
Dr. Bekee Yovo.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam