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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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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: ego dimma <egodimma16@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:05:31 +0100
Subject: APPRECIATION ON YOUR PAST EFFORTS




Dear Sir/Madam I am EGO DIMMA, Department of Risk Management GLOBAL TRUST Corp. We received a cheque valued at USD$950,000.00 directed to sent to you from Dr. ZAK ILO, Director Foreign Operation, African development Bank (ADB). This cheque was sent to us by your business partner Mr. Manyindo Charles whom you assisted through a business deal you brokered for him in your country before he travelled to Spain.
He directed us to deliver the cheque to you as your own share of the deal through the Director of Banking, African Development Bank. We wish to inform you that the above mentioned cheque will be delivered to you immediately we confirm from you the address as part of our in house security measures and also to be sure that the cheque is appropriately delivered to the rightful owner. However, confirm/forward your mail delivery address and your contact phone number to enable us despatch your cheque. As soon as that is done, further information will be given to you on the exact date of arrival to your destination. Do not hesitate to confirm your mail delivery address as we shall not be liable for wrong delivery. Send the requested information: (1) Your full name, address and contact phone number, through the undersigned officer to enable us deliver your cheque:
HON DR EGO DIMMAGLOBAL TRUST CorpEmail: global_trust_diplomatic2008@yahoo.frAddress :327dangogo Cotonou, Benin Republic
As soon as we reconfirm this information from you, your cheque will be despatched immediately. Yours faithfully,HON DR EGO DIMMAGLOBAL TRUST DIPLOMATIC Corp
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam