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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
  • +22993664104 (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.
  • gglobalexpresscompany@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "ONWA OBUGE" <dr_onwa09@ig.com.br>
Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:41:56 +0100
Subject: CONTACT GLOBAL COMPANY FOR YOUR $950,000.00


My Dear Good Friend,


Good day, How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have Paid the
fee for your Cheque Draft. And I went to the bank to confirm if the Cheque
has expired or getting near to expire and Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of
Financial Trust Bank told me that before the cheque will get to your hand
that it will expire.



So I told him to cash the $950,000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS to cash payment
to avoid losting this funds.However, all the necessary arrangement of
delivering the $950,000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS in cash was made with
GLOBAL MAX COURIER COMPANY BENIN here in Cotonou Benin Republic,



Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Financial Trust Bank Cotonou have to package
the sum of $950,000.00 in cash for me. Then he also agreed to help me to
Register the Consignment with GLOBAL MAX COURIER COMPANY BENIN. Infact I
thank God very much for all the movement I made, every thing goes normally.



As for our agreement with the GLOBAL MAX COURIER COMPANY BENIN they promised
that your consignment will leave this Country this week,But the Director of
the GLOBAL MAX COURIER COMPANY BENIN said that they need your contacts
informations to enable them meet up with you immediately the Diplomat Agent
arrived to your Country.



Please write a letter of application to the given address below.


DR.Michael Omabala
EMAIL: gglobalexpresscompany@yahoo.com
HIS TEL PHONE: +229 9366 4104



Please, Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they
need from you.



1.YOUR FULL NAME
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.
5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE



Please make sure you send this needed info to the Director Genaral Michael
Omabala with the address given to you.



Note.GLOBAL MAX COURIER COMPANY BENIN don't know the contents of the Box. I
registered it as a BOX of an Africa cloths. They don't know it contents
money. this is to avoid them delaying with the BOX. Don't let them know that
is money that is in that Box.



I am waiting for your urgent response.


Thanks and Remain Blessed.


Mr.Onwa Obuge

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam