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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
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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)
  • "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "huge deposit" (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 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)
  • "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.
  • +22993181037 (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.
  • richardpraba2001@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: =?utf-8?q?Richard=20Praba?= <richardpraba30@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: richardpraba2001@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:29:16 +0530 (IST)
Subject: TRUSTING TO HEAR FROM YOU IMMEDIATELY


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: richardpraba30@yahoo.in



- I am Dr.Richard Praba. the senior Accountant in my Bank and account officer to Mr.Even Marsden who was a big time contractor with the Government of Benin Republic.On The 21st day of the month of march 2003, My dear friend, a lovely customer in the field of Business whom with his wife Mrs.Victoria Marsden and their two children were involved in an auto-crash along side with the most ever busy road called Tokpa High Way Cotonou Benin Republic out of over speeding was smarched under a truck full load of building materials with their own official vehicle and unfortunately they all lost their lives.Since then,five years till date, The Board of Directors of my Bank have made several enquires to their Embassy in able to locate any of my customer's extended family member or relatives who will by the right of the law claim all his fixed deposit and the rest of his property as the next of kin of my late customer which we've tried our possible best but it seems to no avail.I have contacted you to assist in repatriating this fund and Property left behind by my client before they get Confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this Huge deposits amount of money,Ten million USA Dollars (USD10M) was lodged.The Bank has published several Notice for the Next of Kin of the deceased to apply for collection of this Funds or have the account confiscated within a shot Period of time.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating their relatives for over this years,so i decided to seek your consent in presenting you as the Next of kin of the deceased, so that the proceedure of this Account valued at US10 million dollars can be paid to you as the next of kin,Then you and i can shares it at,60% of the total sum to me and 40% comes to you for your effort,showing of concern, also we can discuss on how to help me put up a structure of an investment in your country immediately the fund is transfers to your account.I am asuring you that i have all the necessary legal documents that will be used to back you up for us making this claim which i intend to present you. All i required from you is your honest co-operation to enable this deal come through and be successful.I guarantee you that this will be excuted under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the Law.Please in acceptance to this offer kindly get in touch with me immediately through my private email richardpraba2001@yahoo.fr or my telephone number +22993181037 and send to me your contact telephone and fax numbers for an easy communication between both of us.thanks and awaiting your immediate response.Best regards,Dr.Richard Praba.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam