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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)
  • "courier service" (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. )
• 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.
  • +22993703155 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Mike Onwa <onwamk@rocketmail.com>
Reply-To: mkonwa@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:29:44 +0100
Subject: Royal Courrier Services Limited : rcsbj@royal.net


Attention,

I have Paid for the delivery fee of the Cheque,but the bank manager of Eco =
bank Benin told me that before the cheque will get to you that it will =
expire.So I told him to withdraw the $270,000 usd into phisical cash, all the =
necessary arrangement for the delivering of the $270,000 usd in cash was made =
by the Eco bank.

Be informed that I have settled for the delivery fee. Now contact the courier =
company and let me know when you have recieve the fund, below are the needed =
informations to enable them deliver the pack to you immediately.

1.Your full name...............................

2.Your update receiving address............................

3.Your contact telephone number................

Below are the contact details of the courier service :

Royal Courrier Services Limited .

C / 226 Missebo Cotonou.

Director :Dr.Andrew Peters.

Telephone: +229 -93 70 31 55.

E-mail: rcsbj@royal.net

Do let me know immediately you receives the consignment which contains your =
fund that was deposited at the Royal courier services so that we can share =
the joys together. Presently I am now in Cuba.

Regards,
Mike ONWA.
Tel: 0053-687287580

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam