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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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • ",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)
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +22995805741 (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.
  • jamesotumba123@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "mrjamesotumba3 Gazeta.pl" <mrjamesotumba3@gazeta.pl>
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 13:25:27 +0100
Subject: Trust And Lets Do It Together.


Hello My Dear,

How are you today and your Family.

Before I start, I must firstly apologize for this unsolicited proposal to
you. I am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to
starting a relationship, But as time goes on you will realize the need for
my action.

My name is Mr.James Otumba,Audit Manager of Oceanic Bank Plc Benin and
account officer to Late Edward Han, who died with his wife and the only
daughter in an Automobile crash on the 28th January 2001. Before the death
of Late Edward Han, he maintained a fixed deposit account with my Bank
(Oceanic Bank Plc Benin) Based on this discovery, I now seek your permission
and support to have you stand in as a next of kin to the Late deceased
Person, as all documentations will be carefully worked out by me for the
release of these funds all amounting to the tune of ($5.2m,000,000.00 usd)
Five Million Two hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only to any
nominated account of your choice.

I propose an offer of 40% of the total amount to be yours after the transfer
has been successfully concluded. Let me have your Full Name, Confidential
Telephone, Fax and Mobile Numbers and also your Contact Address in response
to this proposal if you are interested. Please reply immediately to my
private email.(jamesotumba123@yahoo.com)

Thanks and God bless.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr.James Otumba.

Tel: +229 95 80 57 41.
Fax:+229 95 80 57 41.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam