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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:
  • "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)
  • "to your nominated bank 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 courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "foreign payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr_Frank Ampong" <barr_frankampong49@livedoor.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:17:39 -0400
Subject: CONTRACT CASH PAYMENT


FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GHANA,
BANK OF GHANA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR,
12/18,ASHANTI AVENUE
ACCRA CENTRAL
GHANA.

Attention:Beneficiary,

This is to notify you that your funds has been programmed for immediate
release of your contract sum totalling the sum of US$40.5M(Fourty million
five hundred thousand five hundred thousand dollars) into your nominated
account but we can not transfer this funds direct to your nominated bank
account, because we are having a problem with International Monetary Fund
(IMF) so our method of payment is by Diplomatic Courier Service Note; that
every arrangement regarding your cash payment through diplomatic services
has been made, note that your funds have been package like a consignment.Be
inform that the Diplomatic Agency has to move down to your Country in order
to deliver the Consignment to your doorstep.


I want you to forward the below infromation immediately, so that as soon as
the diplomatic arrive in your country they will call you immediately to
notify you.


1) Your full name and address
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company's name, position and address.
4) Profession.
5) Working Id/Int'l passport.

You are advised to send the above requested information through my direct
email:frankampong1@yahoo.cn <email%3Afrankampong1@yahoo.cn>

Yours sincerely,

Barr.Frank Ampong

DIRECTOR FOREIGN PAYMENT DEPARTMENT
BANK OF GHANA (BOA)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam