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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.

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

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +22993202545 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
  • +229938556 (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.
  • markjenny42@yahoo.fr
  • 3amarkjenny42@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "franklinilean2 Gazeta.pl" <franklinilean2@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 19:12:25 +0200
Subject: CONTACT OUR HEAD OFFICE FOR YOUR PAYMENT


FROM THE DESK OF MR.FRANK LEAN.
SECRETARY GENERAL FINANCIAL MINISTER
FREDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
FOREIGN CONTRACT PAYMENT OFFICE.
FAX+229-93-202-545. TEL +229-93-85-56



Greating To You And Your Family,



The Board of federal ministry of finance benin republic. are here to notify
you of your payment inherited funds of $1,250,000.00 United States Dollars.
after the meeting held on 28th of Febuary 2008. His Exelence the President
of Federal Republic of Benin DR YAYI BONI. has Instructed this Department to
send your funds through western union money transfer for easier receive of
your inherinted funds without any further delay, This is to avoid paying
money to the fraud stars that is going on through the global.



Therefore, you are required to send your name and address were you want your
fund to be send through western union, But the maximium amount you will be
receiving each day is the sum of $5000.000.




So contact Director of Financial Minister of Frederal Republic of benin for
your contractor payment,




Beneficiarey name----
Address---
Sex.......
Tel phone...
Age......
Your City and Country
Copy of your Pictur



Contact him with this informations below:



Director Name Is Dr. Mark Jenny
TEL:+229-93-06-50-20.
EMAIL:markjenny42@yahoo.fr <EMAIL%3Amarkjenny42@yahoo.fr>



Please if you are not the real beneficiary don't respond on this



MR.FRANKLIN LEAN.
SECRETARY GENERAL FINANCIAL MINISTER
FREDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam