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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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)
  • "the consignment" (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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Atiko Benson <atiko_bensonoffice@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: atikobensonoffice_1@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 02:14:39 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Your urgent reply is highly needed///


Dear Friend,

I got your address through a local Business confrence. I must apologise for taking some of your valuable time to explain a proposal that I imagine will be of utmost benefit.

My name is Mr.Atiko Benson, a Customs Officer attached to the wharf in Lome-Togo, and presently in a dilemma about what to do about a large consignment we intercepted at the harbour about two Months ago.If I was told this, I would never have believed it, considering the wide spread of scams and frauds rocking Africa and other countries alike. After inspection of the seizure, my Colleagues and I discovered it contained a large amount of money believed to have been diverted from the Government coffers by politicians, totaling 23.4 million USD and was on it's way to the Overseas for their cronies. The beneficiary was a Brazilian businessman who has since denied the consignment. This consignment unbelievably was declared by these faceless people as artifacts. The owners of the loot have since disappeared knowing the implications. However, we have not made our findings open to the public. In fact we have started thinking of taking over the seizure as we feel there will not
be any reward after all and will only end up in another man's pocket as has always been the case in this country.

What I want from you is your CONSENT so that we can effectively transfer this Consignment and conveniently reclaim it afterwards. We shall make provisions for any inconveniences we may cause you. Honestly such situations have been occurring but I have never witnessed any and I have always dismissed them as scams until now that I have seen it myself. My colleagues and I are working round the clock to effect a hitch free transaction by God's grace.

Please give me your views. Also I have to hold on to other vital information for now for security reasons.

Best regards
Mr Atiko Benson.

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam