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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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.

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "courier company" (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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +22997142157 (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.
  • union_sediplomats1953@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "william henry" <williamhenry1@rediffmail.com>
Date: 31 Jul 2007 13:32:34 -0000
Subject: CONTACT THEM IMMEDIATELY FOR YOUR PACKAGE


Dear Friend,
Good day, How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft. And I went to the bank to confirm if the Cheque has expired or getting near to expire and Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Financial Trust Bank told me that before the cheque will get to your hand that it will expire.
So I told him to cash the $900,000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS to cash payment to avoid losting this funds.However, all the necessary arrangement of delivering the $900,000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS in cash was made with GLOBAL TRUST COURIER COMPANY here in Cotonou Benin Republic,
Please write a letter of application to the given address below.
Dr.Chris Hebert. Tel: +229-97-142-157. E-mail: union_sediplomats1953@yahoo.fr&nbsp;&nbsp;
Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they need from you.
1.YOUR FULL NAME......................... 2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS................... 3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.............. 4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE............ 5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE.............. 6.YOUR AGE...................
Please make sure you send this needed info\'s to the Director general of Global Trust Courier Company Dr.Chris Hebert with the address given to you.
Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Mr.william Henry.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam