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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.

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:
  • "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "cashiers check" (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.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +2348036324232 (Nigeria, 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.
  • raphealwilson101@googlemail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: FEDEX COURIER COMPANY WEST AFRICA <kspleid@effloresco.com>
Reply-To: fedexonlineexpress@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:17:26 -0500
Subject: FEDEX COURIER COMPANY WEST AFRICA



United Nations Assisted Program
Directorate of International Payment
United Nations Liaison Office - Africa.

Attention:

This email is to notify you about the release of your (compensation)
outstanding payment which is truly $2.8 million. The Federal Government
scheduled a time frame to settle all foreign debts which includes
Contract/Inheritance/Gambling/ Lottery (Sponsored by Microsoft and UK National
Lottery) and other international loans. News had it that over the past,
numerous individual(s) who happen to be impostors (claiming to be individuals,
banks and organizations) are claiming to release numerous sums of fund via
numerous ways.

You have two options to receive your payment which is either a Pin Based ATM
card,Certified Cashiers Check or western union. You are advised to select one
out of the two options on how you wish to receive your $2.8 million. Your ATM
card or Check/Bank Draft will be shipped via FedEx Shipping Company and would
get to you within 2 to 3 working days at most.

DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS:
The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is $185.99 but because FedEx have
temporarily discontinued the C.O.D which gives you the chance to pay when
package is delivered for international shipping as stated on their

website: http://fedex.com/us/international/irc/profiles/irc_ng_profile.html?
gtmcc=us# C10

We had to sign contract with them for bulk shipping which makes the
fees reduce
from the actual $185.99 to $160. nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort!
You are advised to contact the dispatch officer responsible for the
shipping of
your Check or ATM card with the following information for shipping of your
payment Check or ATM card.

Contact:-

Dispatch Officer: Mr,RAPHEAL WILSON
Bank: fedEX Courier Service West Africa
Email: raphealwilson101@googlemail.com
Telephone No# : +234-8036324232

And provide her with the following information:

Your full Name...............
Your Address:.................
Contact Home/Cell Phone:...................
Age..............................
Preferred Payment Method (Bank Draft or ATM):................

The dispatch officer will provide you with instructions on how you are to make
payment of the $160 only for the shipping of your ATM card or Cashiers Check.

Remember that you are not paying any fees extra no matter what. Once
again note
that the actual Fedex Retail Price: $185.99 Your Price (Because of our
contract
signed): $135.99 ($40.00 Savings!).which means the total sum which
must be paid
before shipment either your Bnak Draft or Atm Card is $135.99 Only Thanks.

Respectfully,
Mrs,Lisa Rocca.
UN Envoy (Afrian Region)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam