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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (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 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.
  • +22998199263 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Willys Williams" <williamsm@legwork.com.ng>
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:06:38 +0200
Subject: WORK WITH ME IN REBUPLIC


From the Desk of Willams A. Makinka,
Operations Manager, Eko Bank Plc
Cotonou, Benin Republic
Directline: +22998199263
Reply to: willmakinka@posta.ge

Dear friend,

I am Williams.A Makinka, Operations Manager, Eko Bank Plc ,Cotonou Branch. I
got your contact from the World Trade Center (W.T.C.) Regional office here
Cotonou, Benin Republic.

On the 12th May 2004, a French Business marchant Jean Philippe, made a fixed
Deposit for twelve Calendar months, valued at US$6,500,000.00 (Six Million
Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars) ) in my Branch. Upon maturity, I sent a
routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a
month, the Bank sent a reminder. Finally we discovered from,his business
associate that Mr.Jean Philippe, died in an automobile accident.

Upon further investigation, I found that he did not leave a WILL., neither
not declare any next of kin in all his official documents, all attempts to
trace his next of kin have been fruitless including his bank deposit
paperwork. This sum of US$6,500,000.00(Six Million Five Hundred Thousand US
Dollars) is still sitting in the Bank and the interest is being rolled over
with the principal sum at the end of each year.

No one will come forward to claim it. According to the Benin Republic Law,
at the expiration of 6 (six) years, the money will be moved to Benin
Republic Government treasury if nobody applies to claim the fund.
Consequently, I will like to present you being a foreigner to stand as the
next of kin to him. I will draft an application to our bank for the release
of the deceased man's deposit to your account. This is simple,because i am
in charge of approving your application.

1) I will like you to provide me immediately with your full names and your
address and your bank account.

2) A bank account in any part of the world, which you will provide. We will
then facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary
next of kin to the deceased.

The money will be paid into your account we will share in the ratio of 70%
for me and 30% for you. There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for
this transaction will lead to the successful execution of this transaction.
All the relevant documents will be provided, legalized to make them
admissible in the bank. Upon your response, I shall then provide you with
more details and relevant documents that will facilitate the successful
transaction of this business.


All legalities will be observed. You can contact me on my directline:
+22998199263 for further clarification. Reply to my private email:
willmakinka@posta.ge

Please observe utmost confidentiality. Be rest assured that this
transaction would be most profitable for both of us, because I will require
your assistance to invest my share in your country.

Hope to hear from you soonest.

Williams.A Makinka
Operations Manager,
Eko Bank Plc
Directline: +22998199263
Reply to: (willmakinka@posta.ge)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam