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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic delivery"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "transfer into your account" (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)
  • "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "cheques " (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 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.
  • +22997861501 (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.
  • ecowsbankplc@yahoo.dk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: thomas.guettler@freenet.de
Date: Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:46:17 +0200
Subject: CONTACT ECOWAS BANK PLC


Attention Beneficiary,

I wish tonotify you that we have verify and
settle all outstandingtotal pending payment owned and Records before me
haverevealed that your payment has not been effected as a resultof
official negligence as your fund has been identifiedeither as ghost
file, unclaimed deposits, and over-invoicedsum , i would like you to
contact the Our paying Bank,ECOWAS BANK PLC with their below information
for thetransfer schedule of your FUND and also send them your
Bankdetails and direct contact number for confirmation of thetransfer
into your account ,kindly get in contact with thenas you receive this
email .....

BankName: ECOWAS BANK PLC.
Contact Person:DR FRANK
HANKSASHLEY.
Department:Auditing and accounting unit foreignremitancy
department.
EMAIL: (ecowsbankplc@yahoo.dk)
Telephone:
+229-97861501
NOTE:THE APPROVAL WAS MADE POSSIBLE AFTER MEETINGHELD
YESTERDAY WITH THE UNITED STATE CONGRESS ON FINANCIALMATTERS REGARDING
BENEFICIARIES WHO\'S FUNDS IN SOME BANKSAND CONSIGNMENT THAT HAS BEEN
HELD UP IN DIFFERENT AIR PORTSALSO BANK DRAFTS AND CHEQUES THAT HAS BEEN
STOPPED INVERIOUS AIRPORTS THROUGH SOME DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY FROMAFRICA.


IN THIS REGARD THE AMOUNT TO BETRANSFERED INTO YOUR ACOUNT IS
$19,440,000,00 MILLION UNITEDSTATES DOLLARS ONLY, INSTRUCTION WAS GIVEN
TO THE CREDITCONTROLLER OF BRITISH INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL DEPT. TO
MAKESURE THAT YOU RECEIVE YOUR FUND WITHIN 48HRS FROM TODAY.BEADVICED TO
COMPLY WITH THE BANK AUTHURITY TO ENABLE THEMCOMPELET YOUR PAYMENT
WITHOUT ANY DELAY.YOU ARE REQUIRED TOCONTACT THE BANK WITH YOUR
INFORMATIONS AS STATEDBELOW.

PERSONAL INFORMATION.
Your fullname
.................................................
Tel.................................................
Fax................................................
Mobile
Phone..................................
Personal
E-MAIL.........................................
Occupation...................................

Dateof Birth..................

Let me know as youcontact the bank to
enable me keep my records.

Mr Guettler Thomas
President
WamiInstitute
Cotonou Benin Republic West Africa

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam