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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
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• 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.

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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "required fee " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • marc_guer1952@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Marc Guer" <marcguer0019@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:13:05 +0100
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED


FROM THE DESK OF SIR MARC GUER.
FINANCIAL MINISTER OF. FREDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN .
FOREIGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE.
Email: marc_guer1952@myway.com.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Attn; Beneficary,

The management and controller of all finances of the Government as
prescribed by the constitution of the country is the responsibility of the
Ministry of Finance to handle all foreign arias/debts.

The Board of Federal Ministry of Finance Benin Republic are here to notify
you of your payment inherited funds of (US$2.500.000.00 USD After the
meeting held on 8th of MARCH 2008. His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF BENIN Has instructed this Department to send your funds to you
through western union money transfer for easier receive of your inherited
funds without any further delay.

To avoid paying money to the fraud stars that is going on through the global
or fraud stars Bankers, you are required to send your name and address were
you want your fund to be send through western union. The maximum amount you
will be receiving each day starting from tomorrow is the sum of
US$2,500.00.

Also your are required to send us the sum of US$120.00 dollars for
re-newing and reconfirming your file that was deposited in this office with
your name and address bellow.

Beneficiary name----------------------------
Address--------------------------------
Tel phone-----------------------------

As soon as the required fee of US$120.00 dollars is send today for the
renewing reconfirming the payment file of your funds you will start
receiving your funds as from tomorrow.

We wait to receive the western union payment information today.

Please if you are not the real beneficiary don't respond to this message.

Yours in service.

Sir Marc Guer.
Finance Minister
Federal Republic of Benin.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam