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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:
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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:
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • +22993589319 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs naron" <mrsnarson@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: telexcreditdept@voila.fr
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:51:14 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY


H.E. Pr Dorothée Kinde-Gazard
The Honourable Minister of Finance,Benin,
01 BP 882, Cotonou,PK3 Akpakpa,
Cotonou, Benin.
DIRECTOR SCAMMED VICTIM.

BENEFICIARIES.REF/PAYMENTS CODE:06654 $800,000.00.
UNITED NATIONS SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATIONS PAYMENTS.
Dear Victim

On the faithful recommendations, we want you to know that during the last
U.N. meetings held in West Africa, Akpakpa,Cotonou, Benin city, it was
alarmed so much by the world in the meeting on the loss of Funds byvarious
individuals to the Nigerian scam artists operating in syndicates all over
the world today.

In other to compensate victims, the U.N Body in conjunction with the Benin
Government is now paying 150 victims of this operators $800,000.00 each in
accordance with the U.N. recommendations.Due to the corrupt and inefficient
Banking Systems in Nigeria, the payments are to be supervised by the United
Nations' Officials and the Minister of Finance of Benin, the corresponding
paying bank is BANK OF AFRICA BENIN.

This is to bring to your notice that I am delegated from the United Nations
to pay 150 scam victims $800,000.00 (EIGHT HUNDRED UNITED STATE DOLLAR) each
You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the scammed victims
to be paid this amount. Therefore do not hesitate to contact the paying Bank
below for immediate payment of your $800,000.00 compensations Funds.
Bank of africa, Benin.

Phone:+229 93 58 93 19
Email: telexcreditdept@voila.fr
Contact Person: Mr.micheal gibson.
According to the number of applicants at hand, 87 Beneficiaries has been
paid, half of the victims are from the United States, and we still have more
14 left to be paid the compensations of $800,000.00 each.

Your particulars was mentioned by one of the Syndicates who was arrested as
one of their victims of the operations, you are hereby warned not to
communicate or duplicate this message to him for any reason what so ever as
the U.S. secret service is already on trace of the other criminals. So keep
it secret till they are all apprehended. Other victims who Have not been
contacted can submit their application as well for
scrutiny and possible consideration.

You will receive your compensation payments via any of this options you
Choose, Wire Transfer, Certified Bank Draft or ATM Electronic Visa Card.
Yours faithfully,
Mr SNAR SON
Public Relation Officer,Minister of Finance
SCAMMED VICTIM/REF/PAYMENTS CODE:06654 $800,000.00

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam