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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:

• 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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • mruwem@maktoob.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Uwem" <mruwem19@gala.net>
Reply-To: mruwem@maktoob.com
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:24:16 +0100
Subject: Expecting your urgent response.


Hello Dear Friend,

We offered Grant of US$250 million dollar for
Farmers, Ranchers, and Small scale Entrepreneur
from the Directorate of Project Development
(DOPD). This Grant is for Experienced Farmers,
Ranchers and Small Scale Entrepreneurs who are
unable to obtain financing from commercial
credit sources. Loan amounts range from
$500,000.00 to $2,000,000.00 and $2,000,000.00
to $5,000,000.00 (Amount Varies Based on
Applicant Capability) Ministry of National
Development (MOND) is the sponsor of this
facility.


REASON FOR CONTACTING YOU:

My name is Mr. Uwem Kidjo the Deputy Governor
Financial Sector Surveillance Central Bank of
Benin. Last year I made an arrangement with one
Mr. Michael McNulty a national of the United
States of America in the state of Wisconsin to
hold on my behalf the sum of $15.2Million to be
used for investment, the money was slated to
move in two phase of $7.5Million at each phase.
We worked together and obtainedall the papers
needed to transfer the first $7.5Million but as
soon as the fund was confirmed in his bank
account he disconnected his phone line 715 694
5761 and disappeared. He was staying at #45,
Peterson Rd,Black River Falls, Wisconsin.

My tenure as the Deputy Governor Financial
Sector Surveillance Central Bank of Benin will
very soon and I don't want the opportunity I
have here in making myself rich to be wasted
hence I am contacting you to work with me and
keep on my behalf for investment the balances
sum $7.7Million. As a civil servant still under
services of my government I am barred from
operating foreign account and I would not
deposit this amount in my local account here
because I had declared my asset
immediately I was appointed into my present
position.

I will make you my investment manager after a
commission of $2.2Million from the $7.7Million
for your kind help and I pray I will not be
disappointed again. I seek for your corporation
and sincerity towards this business.

Please contact me immediately via email: (
mruwem@maktoob.com ) with your complete
names and numbers (Phone and Fax) and I will get
back to you explaining areas you felt you want
to know better.
Expecting your urgent response.

Yours faithfully,
Mr. Uwem Kidjo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam