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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:
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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:
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "cheque " (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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• 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.
  • +22993236193 (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.
  • gmcouriercompany2x2@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ben williams" <williamsbe5@e-mail.ua>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:03:23 +0200
Subject: CONTACT THEM FOR YOUR PACKAGE BOX .


Attn:My Dear,
I have Paid the fee for your Cheque Draft.Because the manager of Eko Bank
Benin told me that before the check will get to you that it will expire.So i
told him to cash the $1.5M, all the necessary arrangement of delivering the
$1.5M in cash was made with UNION COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY SERVICE .You can
reach the company with the below information

Name: DR.CHIDI BELLO
EMAIL:(gmcouriercompany2x2@yahoo.fr)
PHONE: ; +229 93236193

Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they
need from you. Is only they director DR.CHIDI BELLO knows the contents
of this package as he is the one helps me to cash your bank draft in bank.
I gave them your delivering address but you have to reconfirm it to them
again to avoid any mistake on the delivering.Reconfirm below information
tothe company.

Your Full Name---------
Home telephone-----------
Office telephone--------
Your pic-----------------
Your consignment registration number ---------EM5697439
Code number----------48SRIO41

Let me know immediately you receive your package and sheck the contents
wheather the complete of the total $1.5M.Please make sure you send this
needed info?s to the Director general of Union Courier Delivery Company
Service DR.CHIDI BELLO with the address given to you. Note ;The UNION
COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY SERVICE don't know the contents of the Box. I
registered it as a Box of an Africa cloths.The diplomat Agent don't know it
contents money. this is to avoid them delaying with the Box.don't let the
Diplomat Agent know that is money that is in that Box.I amwaiting for your
urgent response.

Thanks and Remain Blessed.

SECRETARY WILLIAMS BEN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam