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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:
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • diplom_courier@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Maxi Okwuchukwu" <maxi_okwuchukwu@ig.com.br>
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 18:20:11 +0100
Subject: From Global Trust Courier Company


Good day, How are you today?

I am writing to inform you that I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft.
And I went to the bank to confirm if the Cheque has expired or getting
near to expire and Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Credit Bank told me that
before the cheque will get to your hand that it will expire.

So I told him to clear the ($2,000,000,00 ) DOLLAR.to cash payment to
avoid losting this funds.However, all the necessary arrangement of
delivering the ($2,000,000,00) US DOLLAR.in cash was made with GLOBAL
TRUST COURIER COMPANY here in Cotonou Benin Republic, Mr.Ahmed Zafa the
Director of Credit Bank Cotonou have to package the sum of ($2,000,000,00)


DOLLAR. in cash for me. Then he also agreed to help me to Register it as
Consignment with GLOBAL TRUST COURIER COMPANY. Infact I thank God very
much for all the movement I made, every thing goes normally.

As for our agreement with the Global Trust Courier company they promised
that your consignment will leave this Country on monday next week,But
the Director of the GLOBAL TRUST COURIER COMPANY said that they need your
contacts informations to able them meet up with you immediately the
Diplomat Agent arrived to your Country. Please write a letter of
application to the given address below.


ATTN: DR. FAVOUR UBAH EMAIL: (diplom_courier@sify.com)
Please, Send them your contacts information to enable 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 HOME ADDRESS.

3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER

4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.

5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE

Pleasemake sure you send this needed info?s to the Director general of
Global Trust Courier Company DR.SANNI IBRAHIM with the address given to
you.
Note.The Global Trust courier company don't know the contents of the Box.
I registered it as a BOX of an Africa cloths. They don't know it contains
money. this is to avoid them delaying with the BOX. don't let them know
that is money that is inthat Box. I am waiting for your urgent response.

Thanks and Remain Blessed. Mr. Maxi Okwu .

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam