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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "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)
  • "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "ogualafrank5 Gazeta.pl" <ogualafrank5@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:14:25 +0200
Subject: FROM MR.OGUALA FRANK.


FROM MR.OGUALA FRANK.
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
BANK OF AFRICA(BOA)
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
WEST AFRICA
PRIVATE TEL N° 0022993976563
AGE....43 YEARS OLD
MARRIED WITH 3 CHILDREN
RESIDENCIAL ADDRESS... N°2753 AVENUE NABBA 01 BP 5632 01 COTONOU

Dear Friend,

I am Mr. OGUALA FRANK.
the director in charge of auditing and accounting section of BANK OF AFRICA
(BOA)COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC, in West Africa with due
respect and regard. I have decided to contact you on a business transaction
that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction .
During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died on
October 31st 2003, in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in his
account with this Bank without any claim of the fund in our custody either
from his family or relation before our discovery to this development.
Although personally, I keep this information secret within myself to enable
the whole plans and idea be Profitable and successful during the time of
execution. The said amount was FIFTEEN MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED
STATES DOLLARS
(US$15.6M). As it may interest you to know, I got your impressive
information
through our chamber of commerce on foreign business relations here in
COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC.
Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the
bonafide next of kin to the deceased, get the required approval and transfer
this money to a foreign account has been put in place and directives and
needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your
interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this
great business opportunity.
In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this
country as a civil servant(A Banker),we are not allowed to operate a foreign
account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of
transfer because I work in this bank.
This is the actual reason why it will require a second party or fellow who
will forward claims as the next of kin with affidavit of trust of oath to
the Bank and also present a foreign account where he will need the money to
be re-transferred into on his request as it may be after due verification
and clarification by the correspondent branch of the bank where the whole
money will be remitted from to your own designation bank account.
I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On
smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the
total sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills, while 60% will be for me and my partner.
Please, you have been
adviced to keep "top secret" as I am still in service and intend to retire
from service after we conclude this deal with you.
I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your account. and ask me to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated
and further investment, either in your country or any country you advice us
to invest in. All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when
I hear from you.
I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in this
deal.My direct/confidential telephone number is 0022993976563 ,I,m expecting
your call any time from now.

Yours faithfully,
MR .OGUALA FRANK.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam