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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
• 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.
  • +22566868062 (Cote d'Ivoire, 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.
  • v.bankci@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "un@unitednation.org" <un.unit@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:52:06 -1200
Subject: UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH WORLD BANK.

UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH
WORLD BANK.

Attention: Friend,

This email is to all the funds beneficiary in any part of
the world, the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate them
with the sum of US$ 3,500,000.00 this includes every foreign
contractors that may have not received their contract sum,
beneficiaries and people that have had an unfinished
transaction or international businesses that failed due to
Government problems, etc.

We found your name in our list and that is why we are
contacting you, this has been agreed upon and has been
signed.

You are advised to contact Mr. Franklin George of our paying
center in Africa, as he is our representative in West
Africa, contact him immediately for your Cheque/
International Bank Draft or transfer of your USD$
3,500,000.00

Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone
number, your contact address or bank account details
depending on how you want your funds to get to you

Name: Mr. Franklin George
Email: v.bankci@yahoo.com
Phone: +225-66868062

Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hoping to hear
from you as soon as you get you funds.

Making the world a better place

Regards,
Secretary-General HENRY WILLIAMS.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam