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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.

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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • globaltrustbj@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Ugo Aka" <ugoaka@btconnect.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:16:34 -0000
Subject:

SECRETARY OFFICE)
BP 1818 COCOTOMY ABEDMEY.
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.

Dear Friend,

I have been waiting you to come down here to pick up your Bank cheque,But i did not hear from you.
Then I went and deposited your Bank cheque with a Courier company named: Del Courier Express here in Benin Republic, because i am travellingto return next month end.
You are to contact the Del Courier Express to know when they will deliver your package.
Please be informed that the only money you have to send to them isthere Courier Shipment/Security Keeping fee of $95 to received your package.
Don't be deceived by any body, Belos is the Contact Informations of the courier company so you can contact them directly.

Attn:Dr David Chichi.
Address : BP 1005 Ste Ceceile Ave,
Cotonou Rep Du Benin.
TEL: 00 (229) 93 15 01 34.
EMAIL: globaltrustbj@yahoo.co.uk

Try to contact them as soon as possible to avoid increasing the fee.
Finally, you have to reconfirm this information, namely Your complete name, phone number and residence address to them again to avoid anymistake in the delivering.
Let me know as soon as you receive your Bank cheque.

Thanks,
Mr.Ugo Aka,
Secretary  

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam