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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "inheritance funds" (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)
  • "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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "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 "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.
  • +22993684478 (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.
  • raph_dike1@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • polinus_ibekwe@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 04:09:18 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Now contact my personal assistant


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: raph_dike1@yahoo.com



- Dear Friend,It's been long I heard from you. Well, I just want to use this medium to thank you very much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving my late client inheritance funds, without any positive outcome.I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in transferring the funds with the help of a new partner from Saudi Arabia. Everything was perfectly done because we strike a deal with one of the Lady an accountant who works with the Remittance Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) and she rendered a tremendous help to us.My new partner initiated this idea and everything worked out successfully.In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the Funds, I have decided to compensate you with the sum of $1,800,000.00 in a Cashier's cheque (One Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) This is from my own share I did this simply to show you that it is good to do good things to the right people always.Presently,I am in Saudi Arabia for investment project with my own share under the advice of my partner. Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it but failed us somehow. I will be sending you e-mail from time to time to know if you have received your share or not. Now contact my personal assistant in Benin Republic, Cotonou. His Name is Mr.Polinus Ibekwe, Email;(polinus_ibekwe@hotmail.com) on my former telephone line and do send him your contact address where you want the cheque to be send to you.These are the information below, YOUR FULL.......YOUR ADRESS......YOUR COUNTRY.......YOUR CITY.....YOUR CURRENT ....COPY OF ID.... Or if you want it through wire transfer then send to him your Bank information such as, BANK NAME ...ACCOUNT NUMBER...BANK BRANCH...SOFT COD.....Your phone numbers, which he will reach my personal assistant once again, is this,you or you can call him with this +229-93684478. His e-mail address:(polinus_ibekwe@hotmail.com)Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the joy together after all the suffering at that time. In the moment, I’m very busy here in Saudi Arabia because of the investment projects, which the new partner and I are having at hand.So feel free to get in touch with Mr.James Joe, and ask him to send you the cheque withoutany delay.With My Best Regards,Mr.Raph Dike

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam