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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
• 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.
  • +22993865835 (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.
  • centralbankpaymentdpartmente@yahoo.it

Fraud email example:

From: "jimmy johnson" <jimmy-johnson1@ig.com.br>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:32:47 +0100
Subject: YOUR FUND RELEASE


Attn: Beneficiary,

I am Mr Jimmy Johnson, the driector of Cetral Bank of west africa. This is
to bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money
Transaction originated from any part of African/ Europe and Asia counties
etc. as Contract payment, Fund inheritance or Lottery Winning due to
Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies In
releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money Laundry
activities going on world wide.

The World Bank Group has Mandated the Cetral Bank of west africa via my
Office to release funds to beneficiaries through Cash delivery, Hence Your
Name appears as one of The fund beneficiaries whom their fund was
successfully cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry and your
money will be released to you Through International Cashier's Bank Draft
that will be cashable from any International Bank in your country or cash
delivery been the only way you would receive Your money to avoid paying
excess charges.As regard to this arrangement, you are advised to contact the
Bank director Rev Dr Mike William through

His direct email:(centralbankpaymentdpartmente@yahoo.it )
CONTACT REV DR Mike William WITH THE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW.
TELEX Cetral Bank of west africa,
NAME: REV DR Mike William
DIRECT EMAIL: ( centralbankpaymentdpartmente@yahoo.it )
DIRECT TEL: +229 9386-5835.

You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers, Your
complete name and your mailing address to Rev Dr Mike William for Immediate
release of your fund to you, Most importantly be aware that one Million five
hundred thousand Dollars Only ($1.5million)was all located to you, be also
informed That the Fund Approvals and authorization document Including
Antiterrorist Clearance Certificate was issued in your name and has been
handed over to Rev. Dr Mike William to release to you.

Finally, Rev Dr Mike William is standby to receive your communication and
Release your fund to you through Cash delivery Without further delay. Make
your contact directly to him through Email contact any time because we are
working 24 Hours to be able to meet with the mandate given by the World
Bank.

Thanks for your maximum cooperation.

Mr Jimmy Johnson,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam