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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "registration fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "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.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • claimscbb@accountant.com

Fraud email example:

From: "OFFICIAL FILE" <officialfile5@ig.com.br>
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 20:03:55 +0100
Subject: CONTACT THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT FAST!!


CONTACT THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT OF CONTINENTAL BANK BENIN NOW FOR YOUR FUND.
claimscbb@accountant.com

Attn: Beneficiary

Due to your inability to send the registration fee of your cheque as
requested by the Courier express delivery Company, I decided to involve the
issuing bank to avoid losing the funds since my boss has not returned.

When I met with the Foreign Affaires manager, he told me that the cheque of
$900,000.00 has three weeks to expire after which it will be invalid. On the
spot I told him to pay the money into a domiciliary account to avoid losing
the money but he said I have to hire the services of a lawyer before that
can be done since the beneficiary of the cheque is not here, a lawyer will
be involved for the signing and the procurement of vital documents needed
for that.

I had no choice but to hire contract one of the Bank's attorneys who
assisted me in the matter to avoid loosing of the money. Though the Lawyer,
Barrister Stephen Young told me that he will arrange for the documents as
well as the signing for the creation of a domiciliary account which the
money will be lodged into but that I will give him $2500.00 for his service
charge. I explained to him that I don't have the money, I pleaded with him
to do all to ensure that the fund is not lost, that his service charges will
be given to him as soon as the money is transferred to you, his charges will
be remitted to his account by swift. I promised him. He accepted and a
domiciliary account was opened in your favour.

I herein wish to inform you that the fund is presently ready to be
transferred into your account. I have contacted you to inform you of this
development.


You should as a matter of urgency contact the Claims Department of
Continental Bank Benin at (claimscbb@accountant.com) send the below
aforementioned information to enable the swift transfer of the fund into
your account:

1. YOUR BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION WHERE THE FUND WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO:
2. YOUR FULL NAME:
3. YOUR HOME ADDRESS:
4. YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER:
5. ATTACHED COPY OF YOUR IDENTITY CARD:

Best Regards,

Mr.Crawford
Mark.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam