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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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• 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (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.
  
• 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.
  • prof.tolu_balogun1560@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: tolu balogun <prof.tolu_balogun21@live.fr>
Reply-To: <prof.tolu_balogun1560@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:07:17 +0100
Subject: YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED





BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L’AFRIQUE DE L’OUEST (BCEAO)CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA (BCEAO)Agence principale de CotonouAvenue Jean Paul I Cotonou, BP 325 Cotonou, Benin Republic.Telex : 5211 BCEAO COTONOU,

Our Ref: BR/102/0005B/07 __________________________________________________________________

ATTN: (SoleBeneficiary)

RE: PAYMENT OF $10.7M ON CONTRACT REF: BR/102/0005B/07Citing your reference for the release and payment of $10,700,000.00 with Ref: BR/102/0005B/07 and Foreign Exchange Allocation Number BMF-52114 as it appears on our payment schedule 1st quarter 2007; be informed that approval has been given to effect the transfer of the above sum in your favour.From the records of outstanding contractors/Next of Kin Fund due for payment with the Government of Benin Republic, your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding Payments who have not yet received their payments.I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from my record in my file your utstanding part payment is US$10,700,000.00 (Ten million seven hundred thousand united states dollars). Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:1) Your full name.2) Phone, fax and mobile #.3) Company name, position and address.4) Profession, age and marital status.As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you in a Certified Bank Draft or wired to your nominated bank account directly from CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA (BCEAO). You can mail me on my direct mail address ; ( prof.tolu_balogun1560@yahoo.fr )

Regards,
Prof.Tolu Balogun
Director of Foreign Operations.
CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA (BCEAO)
copyright BCEAO 2007
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam