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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • +22993019265 (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.
  • dr_erickwilliam@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: erick william <erickwilliam02@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <dr_erickwilliam@yahoo.fr>
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 22:23:40 +0200
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF DR.ERICK WILLIAMS,



FROM THE DESK OF DR.ERICK WILLIAMS,
DIRECTOR AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT,
CONTINENTAL BANK BENIN REPUBLIC,

Email: dr_erickwilliam@yahoo.fr
Tel:Fax:+229-93-01-92-65

Dear Friend,

I am Dr.Erick Williams the director in charge of auditing and accounting section of Continental bank Benin Republic.

With due respect and regards. I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction. During our investigation and auditing in the bank, my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person, a foreigner who died on Monday 31th July 2000 in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in his account with the bank without any claim of the fund in our custody either from his family or relation before our discovery to this development,

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THIS SITE BELOW: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

Although personally, I kept this information secret within myself to enable the whole plans and idea be profitable and successful during the time of execution.The said amount was USD$22m (Twenty Two Million United States Dollars) As it may intrest you to know, I got your contact through international business enquiry as i was making search of a foreign partner that will assist me to bring this deal to be a success. I beleive you will be aviable and capable to champion a business of such magnitude without any problem.

Meanwhile the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the bonifide next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer this money to a foriegn account has been put in place and directives/needed information will be released to you as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this great business opportunity. In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this country as a civil servant,we are not allowed to operate a foriegn account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of transfer because I work in this bank.

This is the actual reason why it will require a second party or fellow who will forward claims as the next of kin with affidavit of trust of Oath to the bank and also present a foriegn account where he will need the money to be re-transfered into on his request as it may be, after due verification and clarification by designated bank account. I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside to take care of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer such as telephone bills etc, while 60% will be for me.

Please you have been adviced to keep top secret as i am still in service and intend to retire from service after i conclude this deal with you. I will be monitoring the whole situation here in the bank until you confirm the money in your account. And ask me to come down to your country for subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated and further investment, either in your country or any other country you may advice me to invest in. All other necessary information will be sent to you when I hear from you.

I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in this deal. Do make sure you reply directly to my private email below:
dr_erickwilliam@yahoo.fr

Thanks and best regards
Yours faithfully,
Dr.Erick Williams.











Dr Erick Williams
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING DEPT
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam