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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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)
  • "million 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)
• 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.
  • +22997159530 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: markusoseni@m6mail.fr
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:51:23 +0100 (CET)
Subject: From Mr. Markus Oseni,



Hello Dear Friend,

My name is Mr. Markus Oseni the Deputy Governor Financial Sector Surveillance Central Bank of Benin. Last year I made an arrangement with one Mr. Michael McNulty a national of the United States of America in the state of Wisconsin to hold on my behalf the sum of 15.2 to be used for investment, the funds was slated to move in two phase of 7.5 at each phase. We worked together and obtained all the papers needed to transfer the first 7.5 but as soon as the transfer was
confirmed in his bank account he disconnected his phone line and i never heard from him ever since. He was staying at Glenview, Illinois.

My tenure as the Deputy Governor financial Sector Surveillance Banque Centrale Du Benin will very soon and I don't want the opportunity I have here in making myself rich to be wasted hence I am contacting you to work with me and keep on my behalf for investment the balance sum
7.7 million dollars. As a civil servant still under services of my
government I am barred from operating foreign account and I would not deposit this amount in my local account here because I had declared my asset immediately I was appointed into my present position.

I will make you my investment manager after a commission of 2.2 from the 7.7 for your kind help and I pray I will not be disappointed again. I seek for your cooperation and sincerity towards this business.

Yours faithfully,
Mr. Markus Oseni
Tel: +229-971-595-30

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam