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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.

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:
  • "registration fee" (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. )
  • "million united state dollars" (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)
  • "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• 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.
  • +22993815590 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "93815590 0022" <kenvinobah1@livedoor.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:54:02 +0100
Subject: urgent contact them for your card immediately


Attn:My Dear

Now we have arranged your payment of ($2.5Million) two Million five hundred
thousand united state dollars in ATM PAYMENT CARD to be sent to you through
western union money transfer payment: Your payment will sending to you by
western union, the amount you will receive per day is $10,000

The minister trust funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently
standards track details you need to pick up your ($10,000) payment by
western union,you will receive every day till you receive the $2.5Million
united state dollars, now no need to send you this ATM CARD because you can
not be able to withdraw the ATM CARD due to the ATM MASTER CARD contain
large money on it.

The director administrator trust funds have already signed your payment,now
you are free to comply with BANK OF AFRICA payment office on this email:
ministryfinance@voila.fr
however, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your
payment by western union per $10,000 a day.

Dr.Idowu Akim

western union department

Bank of Africa Benin,

Mobile: +229 93815590

E-mail:ministryfinance@voila.fr <E-mail%3Aministryfinance@voila.fr>


The financial western union payment canter has been mandated to issue out
your payment and you have to stop any further communication with any other
person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment. And
bear it in your mind that only money you will send it $185 us dollars for
registration fee because your ATM CARD will be registered to Western Union
department before their will be able to make a chance to you $10,000 us
dollars every day ok.

Note that the administrator payment needs these details from you to process
your payment:


Receiver name---------------

Country---------------------

City------------------------

Tel-------------------------

Test question---------------

Test Answer----------------------

Copy of your id.............


Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Dr. Idowu
Akim he will start sending your payment by western union to you.

Regards,
Barrister Kevin Obah

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam