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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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)
  • "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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "mike paul" <paulmike1@norilsk.tv>
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 02:30:45 +0200
Subject: CONTACT ROYAL COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY FOR THE DELIVERY OF YOUR $950.000 BANK DRAFT


Hello My Dear,

Good day, How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I called the
bank to confirm if your Cashier's Cheque has expired but Mr.Yahaya Ahmed
the Director of Financial Trust Bank told me that before the Cheque will get
to your hand that it will expire.So I told him to convert the $950.000
dollars to cash payment to avoid losing this funds.

However, all the necessary arrangement for delivering the$950.000 dollars to
you in cash was made with Royal courier company here in Cotonou Benin
Republic, Mr.Yahaya Ahmed the Director of Financial Trust Bank Benin
Republic have to package this fund in cash.Then he also agreed to help me to
Register the Consignment with Royal courier company.I am now in Japan for an
investiment projects and i will be back by the end of next month. As for
our agreement with the Royal courier company, they promised that your
consignment will depart this Country any moment from now ,but the Director
of the Royal courier company said that they need your contacts informations
to enable them get in touch with you immediately their diplomat agent
arrives to your Country.

This is their Contact Address
Hon.Adams Odiriga.
Director of the Royal Courier Company
Benin Republic
EMAIL:(royalcourier.deliveryservice@live.fr)
Phone(+229) 93232970

Please,send them your contacts informations to enable them locate you
immediately they arrive in your country with your box .

This is what they need from you.
1.YOUR FULL NAME:
2.YOUR COUNTRY:
3.YOUR HOME ADDRESS:
4.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:
5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE:

N.B The Royal Courier have got no idea of the content of the box, because
Mr.Yahaya Ahmed registered it as a package of African cloth.
Please make sure you send this needed informations to the Director general
of Royal courier company Hon.Adams Odiriga. with the address given to you.

Try to contact them as soon as possible and also give them your correct
contact delivering address to avoid any mistake on the delivery.


Here is the Identification number of your box CPL/78agws/ and the
registration number is RCDC450EM.
Try to contact me when you receive the money.

Thanks and Remain Blessed,
Barr. paul mike.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam