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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
• 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.
  • +447035946388 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +22998860750 (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.
  • princewell.obiuto@gmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: Ken Emmanuel <kenemmanuel9@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:17:33 +0000
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?RE:_Good_N?= =?iso-8859-1?Q?ews/_Conta?=
=?iso-8859-1?Q?ct_My_Past?= =?iso-8859-1?Q?or_For_You?=
=?iso-8859-1?Q?r_=A3950=2C000?= =?iso-8859-1?Q?.00_GBP.?=



Lloyds TSB Group plc
25 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7HN
United Kingdom

Direct Tel +44 7035946388

Dear Friend,

How are you my good friend? Hope all is well with you and your family?,You may not understand why this mail came to you.But if you do not remember me,you might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a £12.2 Million GBP business proposal which we never concluded. I am using this opportunity to inform you that this £12.2 Million GBP business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from London who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion.

I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you. But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the £12.2 Million GBP out of my bank to my new partner's account in London who was capable of assisting me in this great venture.

Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness You showed during the course of the transaction.I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of £950,000.00 GBP I have left a Certified International Bank Draft for you worth of £950,000.00 GBP cashable any where in the world. Now contact my Pastor who is presently in Benin Rep is also a Banker.

Contact Person: Pastor Prince Well.


CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICAN STATES
Adresse: Avenue Jean Paul II de Cotonou
Boite postale: BP 325 Cotonou
Email: princewell.obiuto@gmail.com
Email: centralbankbj@bigmir.net
Inte Web: www.bceao.int
Direct Tel: +229988 607 50
Telex: (0972) 5211 BCEAO COTONOU

Ask him to send you the total £950,000.00 GBP.which I kept for your Compensation for using your personal data to secure the necessary approvals and your attempts to assist me in this Matter. Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number inclusive of your current mailing address where you want him to send the draft to you.

CODE OF CHEQUE OWNERSHIP DETAILS
Deposited By: Mr Ken Emmanuel
Bank draft Number: 002176849 RC
Bank draft Type : CASHIERS CHEQUE.
Amount : £950,000.00 GBP
Colour: GREY.

I am rewarding you with a token of £950,000.00 GBP because you deserve it for your past assistance which i can't forget.

Best Regards,

Hon: Ken Emmanuel.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam