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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:
  • "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.
  • +22993895638 (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.
  • impexcouriercompany18@yahoo.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "philip0011 Gazeta.pl" <philip0011@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:26:26 -0700
Subject: ATTN, PAYMENT NOTIFICATION


ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL
Zenith Heights
Plot 87 Ajose Adeogun Street,COTONOU

ATTN, PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

This is to bring to your notice that, I have paid the re-activation and the
delivery of your ATM.I paid it because the ATM Card 8119 $10.2m,has less
three days to expire and when it expires,the money will go into Government
purse.With that I decided to help you pay the money so that,the ATM will not
expire,because I know when you get your ATM definitely you must pay me,my
money back and even compensate me for helping you.
Now i want you to contact Impex Courier Company with your Full Contact
informations so that they can deliver your Card to your designated address
without any delay. Like i stated earlier, The delivery charges has been paid
but i did not pay their official keeping fees since they refused. They
refused and the reason is that they do not know when you are going to
contact them and dumourage might increase. They told me that their keeping
fees is $25 per day and i deposited it on Wedesday this week.
Below is their Contact Informations,
Contact Person: Dr. Kenneth Ifezuo
Impex Courier and Security Company
Email: impexcouriercompany18@yahoo.fr
Tel: +229 9389 5638
Contact Today to avoid increase of their keeping fees and let me know once
you receive your Card.

Yours
Rev.Dr.Philips Weah
ATM OFFICE
ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam