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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:
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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:
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +22997657123 (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.
  • fedex_delivery1@excite.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: paul bruno <paulbruno0014@hotmail.fr>
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:37:12 +0100
Subject: NOW CONTACT FEDEX COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY FOR YOUR $1.5 000 000



Hello Dear,
I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft.but the manager of Eko Bank Benin told me that before the check will get to you that it will expire.So i told him to convert the into cash cash $1.5 000 000all the necessary arrangement of delivering the $1.5 000 000 in cash was made with FEDEX COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY .This is the information they need for the delivery your package to you.
ATTN: Michael OtuTEl: +229-976-57-123EMAIL:fedex_delivery1@excite.com 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 COUNTRY:3.YOUR HOME ADDRESS:4.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE:6.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE7.COMPANY REGISTRATION NO EG58945 8.CODE NMBER 0140479
Please make sure you send this needed infomation to the Director general of FEDEX COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY MR. Mike Otu with the address given to you.Note. The FEDEX COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY don't know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a Box of an Africa cloths. They don't know it contents money. this is to avoid them delaying with the Box. don't let them know that is money that is in that Box.I am waiting for your urgent response. You can even call the Director of FEDEX COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY with this line +229-976-57-123Thanks and Remain Blessed.
SECRETARY PAUL BRUNO

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam