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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!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found 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. )
• 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.
  • +22998533554 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "DHL INTERNATIONAL BENIN" <dhlbeninr11@nsk.biz>
Reply-To: dhlbeninr@voila.fr
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 17:38:10 +0200
Subject: ABOUT YOUR CHEQUE.


DHL International Benin,
Lot No. 23 Patte D'Oie
03 BP 2147, Cotonou.


DEAR FRIEND,


ABOUT YOUR CHEQUE.


Please get back to us for delivery of your cheque containing the sum of
$723,000 (Seven hundred and twenty three thousand USD) which was deposited in
our branch for delivery to your house address.
Your partner deposited the cheque as reward for your prior business
assistance. You will offset $80 covering delivery / insurance charges.

Reconfirm your address in full and your mobile telephone number to
circumvent delivering your cheque to a wrong address.


Get back to us via our contact below:


Email: dhlbeninr@voila.fr
Tel : + 229 98533 554.
Call us immediately.


Help us serve you better.

Ebusa James U.
Delivery Auditor.
Tel : + 229 98533 554 -

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam