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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:
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (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.
  
• 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.
  • +22993899815 (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.
  • int_remittance1@bk.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: chrishooks2@peru.com
Date: Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:39:41 +0000
Subject: Hello my good friend,



Hello my good friend,



How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I am
using this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar
business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner
from Chile who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. At
the moment, i have just arrived in India for some business
negotiations.


In appreciation of your efforts, sincerity, courage and
trustworthiness you showed during the course of the transaction, i
deposited a certified Bank Draft for you, which is worth $1, 200,
000.00 and cashable anywhere in the world. You are required to contact
the issuing bank on the details below:


Contact: Dr Ahmed Zuma Zoba.
Director, International Remittance Dept.
Ecobank International Benin Republic.
Cotonou, Benin Republic,
Tel: +229-938 998 15.
email address: int_remittance2@banknoteclub.com, int_remittance1@bk.ru


Therefore, you should send your full Names and telephone number, your
occupation and your correct mailing address where you want the bank to
send the draft to you, or your account information where you want they
are to transfered your fund into. Let them know how you intend to
receive your fund and they will attend to you swiftly.


Thanks and God bless you and your family.


Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Bank Draft.


Sincerely yours,


Engr. Chris Hooks.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam