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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
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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.

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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:
  • "activation 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. )
  • "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)
  • "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 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.
  • ecobankatmbeninrep@ubbi.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Rishidi Jacob" <rishidijacob4@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 10:43:36 +0100
Subject: Greetings :Have You Been Informed.


*Mrs Rishidi Jacob.
C/45 Rue Lom Nava Cresent
Cotonou-Benin Republic.*

*Good Day

How are you today? Together with your family, I hope all is well with
you.Have you been informed that our Boss has died of high Bp. after
undergoing that heart surgery abroad? But, thank God that your over delayed
payment is now ready. Infact, I am happy to inform you that i have
succeeded to transfer that total fund (USD850,000.00) in certified bank
Draft now into Atm Card at Eco Bank Int'l Plc.. in Rep. du Benin.

Because, after his funeral/burial last month, his wife wanted to stop/divert
the payment when I collected the draft from the Courier Company. Then, I
refused and went to the bank and the manager advised that it,s better paid
by Atm to avoid expiration problem.

So, we have cleared processing and delivery charges, and now i advice you to
write the Eco Bank Atm director, Mr. Travaly Cheick { **
ecobankatmbeninrep@ubbi.com* <ecobankatmbeninrep@ubbi.com>* } and pay their
activation fee of $150.00 only to enable them to send you or credit
$850.000.00 US Dollars in Atm Card which is kept for your compensation into
your account.

Contact atm dept urgent and remember to re-confirm your current information
to him Your Name........,Address........,Phone
number.........,Occupation........, for quick delivery of your package. May
the peace of the Lord JESUS CHRIST be with you always, let me know as soon
as you receive your payment.

Mrs Rishidi Jacob. (New Secretary)
C/45 Rue Lom Nava Cresent.

*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam