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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic delivery"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "cheques " (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 fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• 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.
  • +22996160257 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • bk.ofafrica@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Steven T.M Eze" <ezeza@eircom.net>
Reply-To: "bk.ofafrica@yahoo.fr" <bk.ofafrica@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 13:17:55 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: KINDLY CONTACT BANK OF AFRICA PLC




BRITISH INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL DEPT.=20
From the desk of Mr Steven T.M Eze.=20
Reprsentetive Credit Control=20
Of British International=20
Finance Dept Benin Republic.=20

Attention :=20

I wish to notify you that we have verify and settle all outstanding total p=
ending payment owned and Records before me have revealed that your payment =
has not been effected as a result of official negligence as your fund has b=
een identified either as ghost file, unclaimed deposits, and over-invoiced =
sum , i would like you to contact Our paying Bank, BANK OF AFRICA with thei=
r below information for the transfer schedule of your FUND and also send th=
em your Bank details and direct contact number for confirmation of the tran=
sfer into your account ,kindly get in contact with them as you recive this =
email=C2=A0 .....=20

Bank Name: BANK OF AFRICA=20
Contact Person:DR PHILIP C. EDWARD.=20
Department:Auditing and accounting unit foreign remitancy department.=20
EMAIL: bk.ofafrica@yahoo.fr=20
Telephone/Fax:=C2=A0 +229-96 160257=20

NOTE:THE APPROVAL=C2=A0 WAS MADE POSSIBLE AFTER MEETING HELD YESTERDAY WITH=
THE UNITED STATE CONGRESS ON FINANCIAL MATTERS REGARDING BENEFICIARIES WHO=
'S FUNDS IN SOME BANKS AND CONSIGNMENT THAT HAS BEEN HELD UP IN DIFFERENT A=
IR PORTS ALSO BANK DRAFTS AND CHEQUES THAT HAS BEEN STOPPED IN VERIOUS AIRP=
ORTS THROUGH SOME DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY FROM AFRICA.=20

IN THIS REGARD THE AMOUNT TO BE TRANSFERED INTO YOUR ACOUNT IS $$2.3m USD M=
ILLION .UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY, INSTRUCTION WAS GIVEN TO THE CREDIT CON=
TROLLER OF BRITISH INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL DEPT. TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU RECE=
IVE YOUR FUND WITHIN 48HRS FROM TODAY.BE ADVICED TO COMPLY WITH THE BANK AU=
THURITY TO ENABLE THEM COMPELET YOUR PAYMENT WITHOUT ANY DELAY.YOU ARE REQU=
IRED TO CONTACT THE BANK WITH YOUR INFORMATIONS AS STATED BELOW.A=20

PERSONAL INFORMATION.=20
Your full Name:Mr/Mrs=20
Home Or Office Address=20
HomeTel/Fax=20
Mobile Phone.=20
Personal E-MAIL=20
Occupation=20
Date of Birth=20
Let me know as you contact the bank to enable me keep my records .=20

Mr Steven T.M Eze.=20
Reprsentetive Credit Control=20
Of British International=20
Finance Dept benin republic.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam