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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "million us 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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +22997571766 (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.
  • frankgeorge0033@mail.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS.JENNIFER JOHNSON" <frank_george33@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: jenifermjohnson@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2008 09:36:42 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Can you be my partner


Dear Partner,

I got your contact in course of my inquiry to locate relations of my Deceased Client a Foreigner who died in an Air Crach on the 25 December 2003.
The reason for this is to inherit a Contract Payment Deposits Account of $5 million (FIVE MILLION US DOLLARS)of which the Deceased left in a Bank here in Cotonou, Benin Republic, West Africa.

Consequently, having gone through to your profile,I Find out that you have the same Last Name / surname with my late client. I want you to please assist me to inherit and cliam and transfer the fund into your Account.

This request emerged last week when the Bank contacted me for the attention of my Deceased Client (perhaps for one reason or the other they have tried to contact my late client for his fund but was unsuccessful).

However, thereupon I announced his death to the bank and protocols observed, I was mandated (as the deceased's Personal Attorney) to provide the Next of Kin to inherit the Deposits or they will freeze it as "Unclaimed Deposit".

Unfortunately, my late client did not put any next of kin when he opened this account with the bank.I have been informed by the bank to locate any of his relations to claim this fund. Hence, i could not loacte any of them, thus i contact you rather leaving the Deposits/Account frozen. Since you share the same surnames with my late client, i will present you to the bank so that this fund will be release and transfer to your account. I have the required Information to execute the transaction under legal process.

Upon the conclusion of this transaction,I will come to your country,for the disbursement of this fund,which 40% of the total amount will be your compensation,while 60% will be my share. For the investment, I will need your help to establish in your country.

Please contact me for further information and commencement of the transaction.
Send to me immediately the following informations:

1, your full name,
2, your direct phone numbers (both mobile phone no.)
3, your fax number if any,
4, profession/occupation
5, Age


send it directly to my most confidential email address frankgeorge0033@mail.ru to enable us commence immediately.

You can call me on 00229-97571766

Yours faithfully,
Barrister Frank George
00229-97571766



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam