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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",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)
  • "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. )
• 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.
  • +22993167736 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "DR CHARLES MOORE" <cmoore5@ig.com.br>
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2008 08:20:50 -0700
Subject: Hello my good friend,


*Hello my good friend,*

*How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? You may not
understand why this mail comes to you. But if you do not remember me, you
might Have receive an email from me in the past regarding a
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded. I am using
this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has
been concluded with the assistance of another partner from Germany who
financed the transaction to a logical conclusion.*

*I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into
your account due to one reason or the other best known to you. But I want to
inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out of my bank to
my new partner's account in Germany that was capable of assisting me in this
great venture. Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness
you showed during the course of the transaction. I want to compensate you
and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $1,500,000.0 which I left to my
secretary on your behalf. *

*My dear friend I will like you to contact my Personal Assistant Dr.Desmond
Mike on his direct email address below for the collection of The fund I
authorized him to release the fund to you whenever you contact him regarding
for it. At the moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment
projects, which I and the new partner are having at hand. *

*Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from
the bottom of my heart, also comply with Dr.Desmond Mike directives so that
he will send the money to you without any delay. *

*Contact: Dr.Desmond Mike
Position: Personal Assistant,
Address: Cotonou, Benin Republic
Telephone:+229 93167736
Email: **des_mike675@live.fr* <des_mike675@live.fr>*
So feel free to get in touch with him, He will send the Bank Cashier Check
in amount to you without any delay. I will also like you to reconfirm your
contact information as you wish to receive your gift to him as I stated
below to enable him deliver the cheque to you.*

*1. FULL NAMES:
2. ADDRESS:
3. OCCUPATION:
4. TELEPHONE NUMBER:
5. CITY:
6. STATE:
7. COUNTRY:
Or.*

*Your bank Information depending on your desire.Take care of yourself I hope
to meet you soon.

Yours Faithfully
Dr Charles Moore.
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam