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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)
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
  • +22993695734 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: upscourierservice@live.fr
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:15:03 +0000
Subject: CONTACT UNITED POSTAL SERVICE COMPANY



Dear Friend.

How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have Paid the fee
for your Cheque Draft. And I went to the bank to confirm if the Cheque
has expired or getting near to expire and Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director
of Central Bank of West African States(BCEAO) told me that before the
cheque will get to your hand that it will expire.

So I told him to cash the US$1.200, 000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS to
cash payment to avoid losting this funds.However, all the necessary
arrangement of delivering the US$1.200, 000.00 UNITED STATES DOLLARS
in cash was made with UNITED POSTAL SERVICE PLC. in Cotonou Benin
Republic,

Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Central Bank of West African
States(BCEAO) Cotonou have to package the sum ofUS$1.200, 000.00
UNITED STATES DOLLARS in cash for me. Then he also agreed to help me
to Register the Consignment with UNITED POSTAL SERVICE PLC. Infact I'm
happy that every movement I made goes normally.

As for ouragreement with the UNITED POSTAL SERVICE PLC. they promised
that your consignment will leave this Country on monday next week,But
the Director of the UNITED POSTAL SERVICE PLC. said that they need
your contacts informations to able them meet up with you immediately
the Diplomat Agent arrived to your Country.


Please write a letter of application to the given address below.
ATTN: Mr.Harry Dominic.
TEl: +229-93695734
Registration No..;Eg2272
Code Number.....:01721457
EMAIL: upscourierservice@live.fr

Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locateyou
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what
theyneed from you.

1.YOUR FULL NAME...
2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS ....
3 YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.....
4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.......
5.A COPY OF YOUR IDENTITY CARD/ PASSPORT.........
6.YOUR AGE..................
7.SEX............................
8.COUNTRY........................
9.OCUPATION.....................


Please make sure you send this needed info?mation to the Director
general of UNITED POSTAL SERVICE PLC, with their address given stated
above.Note.The UNITED POSTAL SERVICE PLC don't know the contents of
the Box. I registered it as a BOX of an Africa cloths. They don't know
it contents money. this is to avoid them delaying with the BOX. don't
let them know that is money that is in that Box. I am waiting for your
urgent response. You can even call the Director of the company with
this line:+229-93695734

Thanks and Remain Blessed.
PASTOR CHARLES OBI

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam