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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:

• 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • +22993480389 (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.
  • u_p_s_2000@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: ebele chukwu <ebelechukwu29@hotmail.fr>
Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:31:06 +0100
Subject: CONTACT THE UPS COMPANY



Dear friend. I have been waiting for you since to contact me for your Confirmable bank Draft of $800.000.00 United States Dollars but I did not hear from you since that time,then I decided to involve the issued bank to avoid losing of the funds,When i got to the bank,the director told me that the cheque has three weeks to expire that after three weeks it will be invalid then i told the director to convert the check into cash to avoid losing of the funds but he said i have to hire a lawyer before that can be done since the beneficaiy that the cheque was on his or my boss that signed the cheque is not here,a lawyer will be involve for the signing and the procurement of vital documentsneeded for that. I have no choice than to hire alawyer who will assist me on this matter as i was told by the bank to signed for the convertion of your cheque,After meeting with the bank lawyer who looked into the matter he told me that he will arrange for the documents as well as the signings for the bank to covert the cheque into cash payment but he said i should pay him $2500.00 for the job, then i explained to him that i don't have the money but pleaded with him that as soon as the job is done that the money will be deducted from the money before anything.
The bank director also assured me that after the convertion of your check,the money will be packaged and deposited with the bank official security company for save keeping as well as the delivering of your package to your home address,
Am happy to inform you that the job hasbeen done,the check has been converted into cash and is right there with United State Parcel Service for deliver,remember the package was registered as family valuables for security reasons and with a seal on it for security reasons.You can find the code number beside the package, there is a place in it they wrote ARS,when you open it through that side you will see the code. I also want to remained you that $3000.00 was deducted from the total sum and this amount includes the registration and the delivery fee which is $500.00 and $2500.00 of the barrister that did the job, The only money you will send to the company to deliver your package box direct to your Address in your country is $155 dollars for their security keeping fee.CONTACT THEM ON THE INFORMATION BELOW AND ASK THEM WHERE TO SEND THE $155 FOR THEM TO DELIVER YOUR PACKAGE TO YOU WITHOUT ANY DELAY. Company Name : United State Parcel Service(USPS)Security Department benin cotonou. Contact Person: Mr Victor Brown: Email:( u_p_s_2000@yahoo.fr )PHONE NUMBER 00229 9348 0389 Note ; your package was register as family valuables , in no condition will you disclose the real content of your package to anybody till you receive it in your home for security reasons,Email the company,tell them your name,tell them that your agent registered your package with them for deliver ok, you can tell them my name,Remember they will ask you for followings : Your Full Name ................Your Home Address..............Your corrent Numbers ..............Your Cel Numbers...............You personal adentification............
MR EBELE CHUKWU.
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam