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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
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• 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:
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • mensah_agent@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: Johnson Edward <richardidrisus9@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: jedw00@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:11:15 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: REF/PAYMENTS CODE: 110-1478/01/2009


REF/PAYMENTS CODE: 110-1478/01/2009
 
Hello Sir/Madam,

This is to bring to your notice that we have been having a meeting for a very lengthy time on 2nd day of January, 2008 with top United Nations Big wigs in Accra-Ghana liaison office. During the last U.N. meetings held in Republic of Ghana, it was alarmed so much by the world in the meetings on the lost of reasonable amount of cash and properties as a result of Scams Artists, Hurricane Wind, Tornado,  Earth Quakes Flood and Oil Spillage.   
 
In other to compensate these victims, United Nations Rehabilitation department is now paying 521 victims that suffered from any of those hard luck the sum of $850,000.00 each in accordance with the U.N recommendations.
 
Due to the corrupt and in-efficient Banking Systems in Africa and monetary Regulations and ethics, the payments are to be paid by Certified International Bank Cheque (CITIBANK) Your particulars was sourced out through of net-work, you can receive your compensations payments through Citi  Bank Certified International Bank Cheque.You are hereby, advised to contact Compensation management director on this contact for further advise.
 
AGENT MENSAH (DIRECTOR)
ECOWAS INVESTMENT COMPANY
AVENUE JEAN PAUL 11
COTONOU - REPUBLIC OF BENIN
E-mail mensah_agent@yahoo.com

Thanks and God bless you and your.

Best Regards,

Mr. N.Edward.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam