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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)
  • "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million us 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)
  • "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.
  • +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "agulu eri" <agulueri9@ig.com.br>
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 17:28:40 +0100
Subject: Thanks and God bless.


Hello Dear Friend,

Well, I just want to use this medium to thank you very much for your earlier
assistance to help me in receiving the inheritance funds, without any
positive outcome. I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in
receiving the funds with the help of a new partner from Hamburg - Germany.
Contact my secretary in Republic Du Benin because I have left the whole
instruction to him on your behalf and instruct him where to send the U.S.D$
1.5,000.000.00 with out any further delay for your compensation.

Please feel free to reach him immediately through his email or mobile number
listed below for the quick release of your Cashier's Cheque: NAME:PASTOR
AKIN ZOUNOU COUNTRY:REPUBLIC DU BENIN ,EMAIL
:pastorakinzounou@yahoo.esNote: You are to send him the following
information to prove yourself to
him:

Your Full Name:
Your Address:
Your Country:
Your Age:
Your Occupation:
Your Phone Number:

Note that if you did not send the above information complete, he will not
release the cheque to you because he has to be sure that it's you whom is to
receive the funds. Ask him to send you the total sum of $1.5,000.000.00
Million US Dollars in Cashier's Cheque which i kept for you. In this moment,
I'm very busy here in Hamburg - Germany because of the investment projects,
which the new partner and I are having at hand.
So feel free to get in touch with PASTOR AKIN ZOUNOU to send the Cashier's
Cheque to you without any delay. You can call him anytime . Thanks and God
bless.
Mr Agulueri
+229_98230895

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam