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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.

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• 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.
  • +22990068924 (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.
  • glcs_27@yahoo.co.jp

Fraud email example:

From: "GLOBAL LINKS" <officechamba2@ig.com.br>
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 19:17:49 +0100
Subject: CONFIRM THIS TO ME URGENT !!!!!!!!


FROM THE DESK OF: FRANK (DR).

THE HEAD OF CONSIGNMENT DEPARTMENT,

GLOBAL LINKS COURIER SERVICE BENIN

E-mail: glcs_27@voila.fr

PHONE: +22990068924.



RE: NOTIFICATION OF YOUR OVERDUE CONSIGNMENT.



Good day to my dear friend how are you doing I hope fine, sorry for my late
reply, I was out of town since, that is why you have not heard from me
since, I just resumed duty this morning, and after some verification I
discover that your Consignment Contains,($3.7 Million Dollars Cash) has not
been delivered to you.



So I want to remind you that you're ($3.7 Million Dollars Consignment) is
steel with Global Links office here in Benin Republic, waiting to be
delivered to your Address, I will ask you to reconfirm you readiness to
receive this fund before the next 14 working days.



Be very fast to contact us back due to the short time you have to claim this
($3.7 Million Dollars Consignment), out of this office. While replying back,
do not files to quote your file number (GLCS/317/BPR)



Thanks as I look forward to receive your reply today, on this email: (
glcs_27@voila.fr
<http://uk.mc265.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=glcs_27@yahoo.co.jp>) having
done this, you would be given proper guidelines on how to receive your
fund.



POST SCRITUM: You have to keep everything secret as to enable the Delivering
to move very smoothly to you. As you finished reading this letter call me
immediately so that we discuss very well over this delivery.



We are waiting for your urgent response.



Regard.



DR. FRANK

(FOREIGN DELIVERY DEPARTMENT)

GLOBAL LINKS COURIER SERVICE (BENIN)

REGULATED BY THE DELIVERY SERVICES AUTHORITY

E-mail: glcs_27@voila.fr

PHONE: +22990068924

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam