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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:
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22993489858 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "LAWRENCE JOHN" <lawrence_john_43@ig.com.br>
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:58:35 +0200
Subject: PLEASE PRAY FOR ME WHILE YOU CONTACT MY LAWYER


My Dear,

I crave your indulgence at this mail coming from somebody you have not known
before.I decided to do this after praying over the situation as I believe
I've been destined to be of blessing to you and humanity in general

I need not dwell on how I came by your contact information because there
are many such possibilities these days.I am Mr.Lawrence John former
director of Benin Cement Company
.
I am presently in Spain where I am under going treatment as I was involve in
fatal auto accident that took the life of my wife and three kids.
I want you to contact my lawyer:

Hon.Dike Mobutu of Mobutu Legal Chambers.
Cotonou Benin Republic.
TEL:+ 229 93 48 98 58.
EMAIL: ( dike_chambers@live.fr )

Instruct him to send you the sum of ($1.5M)
One Million,Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars in which you should
use 30% of the total sum for yourself and then 70% for the less privilege in
the society.
I cannot predict what will be my fate by the time you will receive the
fund,but you should please ensure that the fund is used as I have described
above.

Mr Lawrence John,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam