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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "clearance certificate" (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. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +22993183540 (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.
  • zenit_bankplc@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "gabriel_anthony5 Gazeta.pl" <gabriel_anthony5@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 10:35:43 +0200
Subject: CONTACT ATM PAYMENT CENTER FOR YOUR TOTALFUND 850,000.00 USD


Attn: Dearest Friend,

Its my pleasure to inform you that i have deposited the consignment box
contains sum of 850,000.00 us dollars , with registering bank here in Benin
Rep being that Courier Company can not longer afford to deliver the fund to
you, with the help of the my boss lawyer, he advice the Zenith Bank Atm
Pament Center Cotonou Benin Republic to make the payment to you with their
new
ATM MASTER CARD.

I have arranged with them to make your payment to you with their new ATM
MASTER CARD which you can use to withdraw your money in any ATM MACHINE
around the world. however, Kindly contact the below person who is in
position to release your ATM PAYMENT CARD contains total amount of
850,000.00 us united state dollars.
Zenith Bank Plc Atm Payment Center Benin Republic information.
Contact Person: REV DR.COLLINS UZO, director general
Zenith Bank Atm Payment Center Benin Republic.
Adress: 52/53 new air state cotonou Benin R epublic
Phone: +229-93183540
FAX: 00229-93183540
Email: (zenit_bankplc@yahoo.fr)

I have paid for the processing charges and Clearance Certificate charges
showing that it is not a Drug Money nor to sponsor Terrorist attack in your
Country. The only Money that your are going to pay to them is only $158USD
which they will use to open a new account that they use to activate your
fund into your ATM MASTER CREDIT CARD.

Then,I gave them your delivering address but you have to reconfirm it to
them again to avoid any mistake on the delivering and also try to contact
them as soon as possible today to quicken the processing of your card.
reconfirm your details full.

1. Full Name......
2. Address ......
3. Home & Office Calling Phone......
4. Copy OF Your Id .....
5. Country..........
6. Sex and Occupation........
7. Next of King
Thanks and Remain my bless to your family,

BEST REGARD
Dr.gabriel anthony

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam