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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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. )
• 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.
  • mrsagnescole@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Agnes Cole" <agnescole214@legwork.com.ng>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:26:28 +0200
Subject: GOOD NEWS FROM MRS AGNES AND CONTACT IMPEX COURIER NOW


GOOD NEWS FROM MRS AGNES AND CONTACT IMPEX COURIER NOW
Dear Friend ,



It has been long we communicate last, am so sorry for the delay, I want to
Inform you that your confirmable cheque of (USD$1.2Million ($1200.000.00)
Which my boss asked me to mail to you as soon as you requested it, is still
with me.


But due to some minure issue you fails to respond at the Approprete time,
and presently the cheque is with me here in BENIN REPUBLIC.
Though i had a new contact from a friend of mine who works with one
securitycompany here in BENIN REPUBLIC that will deliver you your cheque at
your door step with a cheeper rate, which the company said that it will cost
you the sum of $105 usd,

So you have to Contact them and register with them now.Only what you will
Contact them and send your full information such:


Your direct celphone Number,Home or Office:Address to Avoid wrong Delivery,

You should also tell the Company to give you the Information and how you
will send them the Delivery fee ($105 usd) Immediately you Contact them
before the cheque USD$1.2 Million will be delivered to your Door step.

Below is the Courier Company contact address:
IMPEX SECURITY COMPANY
CONTACT PERSON: Dr Jim.V.C
CELPHONE NUMBER:00229-95-846-864
EMAIL: impexservice10@live.com

Please do get back to me through MY PRIVATE E-MAIL ADDRESS (
mrsagnescole@myway.com) as soon as you have contacted the security company
so that i can be able to submit your confirmable cheque to them immediately.



Thank you.
Mrs Agnes Cole,

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam