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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "clearance certificate" (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. )
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +22993129056 (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.
  • telexdeptecobank123@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MARTIN CHUKWU" <martinchukwu3@ig.com.br>
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2008 14:30:58 +0200
Subject: YOUR BANK DRAFT HAS BEEN RELEASED


* Attn:beneficiary*


*I am Dr,Marths Uba Chucks , the driector of eco Bank Benin. This is
to bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money
Transaction originated from any part of African/ Europe and Asia
countires etc. as Contract payment, Fund inheritance due to
Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies
In releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money
Laundry activities going on world wide.*


*The World Bank Group has Mandated the eco Bank Benin via my Office to
release funds to beneficiaries through Cash delivery, Hence Your Name
appears as one of The fund beneficiaries whom their fund was
successfully cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry and
your money will be released to you Through International Cashier's
Bank Draft that will be cashable from any International Bank in your
country or cash delivery been the only way you would receive Your
money to avoid paying excess charges.*


*As regard to this arrangement, you are advised to contact the telex
director REV. DR, DENIS ANTHONY through his direct email : (
**telexdeptecobank123@yahoo.fr* <telexdeptecobank123@yahoo.fr>* )*

*CONTACT REV DR DENIS ANTHONY WITH THE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW.*

*TELEX DIRECTOR ECO BANK BENIN
NAME: REV. DR, DENIS ANTHONY
DIRECT EMAIL: (**telexdeptecobank123@yahoo.fr*<telexdeptecobank123@yahoo.fr>
*)
DIRECT TEL: +229-93129-056*


*You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers,
Your complete name and your mailing address to REV DR DENIS ANTHONY
for Immediate release of your fund to you, Most importantly be aware
that one Million Dollars Only (US1, 000, 000.00) was allocated to you,
be also informed That the Fund Approvals and authorization document
Including Antiterrorist Clearance Certificate was issued in your name
and has been handed over to REV DR DENIS ANTHONY to release to you.*


*Finally, REV. DR, DENIS ANTHONY is standby to receive your
communication and Release your fund to you through Cash delivery
Without further delay. Make your contact directly to him through Email
contact any time because we are working 24 Hours to be able to meet
with the mandate given by the World Bank.*

*Thanks for your maximum cooperation.
DR.Marths Uba Chucks*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam