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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin 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.
  • +22998170880 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "rita lounge" <rlounge4@gmail.com>
Reply-To: rlounge1@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 01:10:34 +0100
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF RITA LOUNGE.


FROM THE DESK OF RITA LOUNGE.
AUDITS & ACCOUNTS FOREGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC
WEST AFRICA

PHONE NUMBER +229 98 170880.
This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, it's just because
of my urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact you for this
transaction. I got your contact from yahoo tourist search when I was
searching for a foreign partner. I assured of your capability and
reliability to champion this business opportunity when I prayed to God or
Allah about you.
I am MRS RITA LOUNGE the Audit Manager & Accounts dept. in the AFRICAN
DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB). I am writing to request your assistance to transfer
the sum of $22.300, 000.00 (Twenty Two Million, Three Hundred Thousand
United States dollars) into your accounts. The above sum belongs to our
deceased customer late Mr. Nicolas Francois from Paris France who died along
with his entire family in the Egyptians plane crash on January 6,2004 and
since then the fund has been in a suspense account.
After my further investigation, I discovered that Mr Nicolas Francois died
with his next of kin and according to the laws and constitution guiding this
banking institution stated that after the expiration of (5) five years, if
no body comes for the claim as the next of kin, the fund will be channel
into national treasury as unclaimed fund.
Because of the static of this transaction I want you to stand as the next of
kin so that our bank will accord you the recognition and have the fund
transfer to your account. The total sum will be shared as follows: 50% for
me, 50% for you and expenses incidental occur during the transfer will be
incur by both of us. The transfer is risk free on both sides hence you are
going to follow my instruction till the fund transfer to your account.
More details information with the text of application form will be forwarded
to you to breakdown, explaining comprehensively what require of you.
Your Full Name............................
Your Sex.................................
Your Age.................................
Thanks
RITA LOUNGE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam