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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
  • "charles soludo" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22993148388 (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.
  • charles_soludoo_2001@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: charles soludo <charles_soludoo_2001@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:30:05 -0800 (PST)
Subject: URGENT REPLY


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: charles_soludoo_2001@yahoo.com

BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L’AFRIQUE DE L’OUEST (BCEAO)

CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA (BCEAO)

Agence principale de Cotonou

Avenue Jean Paul I Cotonou, BP 325 Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Telex : 5211 BCEAO COTONOU, Direct Tel : +229 931 48 388

--- --- ---


ATTN: Honorable Beneficiary



IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF OUTSTANDING FUND REF: BR/102/0005B/06



From the records of outstanding overdue payment with the Government of

Benin Republic, your name reflected next on the list of beneficiaries

who have not yet received their payments.



With due respect, I hereby wish to notify you that your payment is being

processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this

letter in reconfirmation. Due to the shortage of fund in our treasury

and the present budget deficit, be informed that your will be paid in

instalment and the first approved instalment is EIGHTEEN MILLION DOLLARS

($18Million).



Please re-confirm to me if this is inline and re-confirm the

followings:



1) Your full name.

2) Phone, fax and mobile number.

3) Company name and address.

4) Position, age and marital status.

5) Scanned copy of int'l passport, ID Card, Driver’s licence or any

form of identity



As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to

you in a certified bank draft or wired to your bank account directly

from our correspondence bank, Standard Chattered Bank, NJ.

It is important can call my direct number (+229 931 48 388) for a

serious discussion and transfer arrangement of this amount as soon as you

receive this letter.



Get back to me through this secure e-mail box Email(charles_2002@o2.pl)



Regards,

Charles Soludo

Director, Foreign Operation (BCEAO)

- charles soludo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam