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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
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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)
• 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.
  • upscouriershippingservice@hotmail.fr

Fraud email example:

From: "united nation" <united.nation0100@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 06:48:50 +0200
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$1.500, 000.00
UNITED STATES DOLLARS to cash payment to avoid losting this funds.However,
all the necessary arrangement of delivering the US$1.500, 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$1.500, 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 our agreement with the UNITED POSTAL SERVICE PLC. they promised that
your consignment will leave this Country on friday this 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.

E-mail:(upscouriershippingservice@hotmail.fr)
Phone number...+229-9369-5734.
Registration No..;Eg2272
Code Number.....:01721457

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.
Name _________________
Home Address _________
Age ________________
Sex __________________
Country _____________
Occoupation __________
Personal telephone number________
Your I D Card / Passport_______

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.United Nation

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam