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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.

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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:
  • "million united states dollars" (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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22997878845 (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.
  • douglas12ubah@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Douglas kiaf" <douglaskiaeze@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: kiadouglas@excite.com
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 03:55:36 -0700
Subject: PLEASE REPLY IMMEDIATELY

From: Barrister Douglas. K. Eze,
Government Recognized Attorney &
Consultants,Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Tel: +229 97 878845
Email:douglas12ubah@hotmail.com
 
Dear Sir,
 
My Name is Barrister Douglas. K. Eze, from Benin Republic , I am the attorney to Dr.Michael Hawkins,a United States Of America Citizen  and a great industrialist in Benin Republic, who deposited the sum of $8.5 Million United States dollars in a Bank here in Benin Republic ( Bank Of Africa Benin ). Unfortunately, he lost his life in a plane crash here    which Happened  on December 26 2003 here in Benin International airport , including his wife and  two   children, all died in the crash .  You can read more of this news about the crash on visiting the web site.
 
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/index.html
 
I am seeking your co-operation to claim this fund as I am his direct  attorney & as well the Bank of Africa  attorney , so that the bank will release the funds to your account. There is practically no risk involved, the transaction will be executed under due arrangements  that will protect us  from any breach of law.  As the attorney that arranged the deposit for Late Dr Michael Hawkins, I have always maintained a good relationship with the bank and can work out the change of ownership of this fund to your name easily , so that we can  claim it and mutually  share the funds on a ratio basis. If you are interested please indicate by immediate reply so that I will not look for another person, also send to me your full name and address, private phone and fax numbers so that we can proceed immediately. It will Never take us much time to actualize this depending on your acceptability .
 
I have a good relationship with the bank generally   to transfer the fund to  your account, as soon as the fund is transferred  to country I will come down immediately . I am prepared to give you 40 % of the whole sum when received in your bank account . Bear in mind,all relating to this transaction will be legally followed and I will use my influence to back up the transaction till we sucessfully acheive the transfer. Call me  immediately you receive this mail: via phone number  +229 97 878845. This message is Extremely Genuine please.
 
Awaiting your urgent response.
 
Sincerely,
 
Barrister Douglas. K. Eze

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam