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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:
  • "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)
  • "million us 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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • +22997855180 (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.
  • fredana34@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • fedexdiplomiatiiccomp.any21@hotmail.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: fedexdiplomiatiiccomp.any21@hotmail.fr
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 15:01:41 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GOOD NEWS , YOU HAVE A PACKAGE WITH FEDEX BENIN


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: fredana34@yahoo.com



- My Dear Good Friend, How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have Paid the fee for your Cheque. And I went to the bank to confirm if the Cheque has expired or getting near to the expirey Date 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$2.5 MILLION US DOLLARS to cash payment to avoid losing this funds. However, all the necessary arrangement of delivering the US$2.5 MILLION US DOLLARS in cash was made with FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD. in Cotonou Benin Republic, Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Central Bank of West African States(BCEAO) Cotonou had to package the sum of US$2.5 MILLION US DOLLARS in cash for you. Then he also agreed to help me to Register the Consignment with FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD. Infact I\'m happy that every arrengment I made was successful. As for our agreement with the FEDEX COURIER SERVICES C!
OMPANY LTD. they promised that your consignment Box will Depart Benin Republic this week, But the Director of the FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD. said that they need your contact information to able them meet up with your Delivery immediately the Diplomat Agent arrived to your Country. Please write a letter of application to the given address below. ATTN: Rev. Maxwell Shargan TEl: : +229-978-551-80 EMAIL: info. (fedexdiplomiatiiccomp.any21@hotmail.fr) Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they need from you. 1.YOUR FULL NAME 2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS. 3.YOUR CURRENT HOME/MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER. 4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE. 5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director general of FEDEX COURIER SERVICES Company LTD, with their address given stated above. Note. FEDEX COURIER SERVICES COMPANY LTD.don\'t know the contents of the Box. !
I registered it as a BOX of AFRICAN CRAFT WORKS. They don\'t know it c
ontents money. this is to avoid them delaying the BOX Delivery. Don\'t let them know that its money that is in that Box. You call the Director of the company with this line: +229-978-551-80 Immedietely. Thanks and Remain Blessed. Barrister Goodwill williams

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam