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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:

• 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. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +22997373889 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: ezegabriel <gabeze@yp.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:12:37 +0000
Subject: CONTACT EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY IMMEDIATE



GABRIEL & COUNSELORS AT LAW
06 BP 1409 AKPAKPA DODOMEY
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN, 


Dear Friend,
Greetings! 
        
 
I have been waiting for you since to contact us for your Funds package
of $850,000.00 United States Dollars, but I did not hear from you
since  That time.
 
Then I went and deposited the Funds with EXPRESS DELIVERY COMPANY
Continuo, Benin Republic before I traveled out of the country for a 7
Months  Course and I will not come back till ending of Dec 2008.  


What you have to do now is to contact the, EXPRESS DELIVERY COMPANY as
soon as you receive this message to know when they will deliver your 
Package to you to avoid expiring date of you package certified draft.
 
For your best interest, I have paid for the shipping charge, Insurance
premium Fee of the funds showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant
to  Sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.
 
The only money you will send to the Courier Company to deliver your
Funds direct to your postal Address in your country is ($125.00 US)
United  States Dollars only is Security Keeping Fee of your deposited
package so far.
 
Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except $125
US Dollars. I would have paid that but they said no because they
don't  Know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage, but
am sure that there will be no demurrage at this time.
 
You have to contact the EXPRESS DELIVERY COMPANY now for the delivery
of your package Fund with this information bellow;
 
Contact Person: DR. PETER SAM
Tell: 00229-97-373-889
EMAIL: expressdeliver@yahoo.cn
 
Finally, make sure that you reconfirm your current postal address and
Direct telephone number to them again to avoid any mistake on the 
delivery, I repeat again, try to contact them as soon as youreceive
this message to avoid any further delay or demurrage for immediate
action  of your delivery. 


You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive your
package funds.
 
Yours Faithfully,
GABRIEL EZE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam