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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:
  • "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 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.
  • +22993416119 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Dan Demouser <zm227pfpku@testzimbra.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:49:41 -0800 (PST)
Subject: YOUR PAST EFFORT AND ATTEMPT


Dear belove friend,

This is to inform you about my successful in getting that funds now under the cooperation of a new partner and my pastor visioned to me that I should not fail to compesate everybody that participated in this transaction .

Presently I'm in Kuwait for investment projects with my new partner also you should contact my secretary on the information bellow.
NAME;mark ben
Tele phone number+229 93 416 119
EMAIL;(markben2009@live.com)

Ask him to send you the total sum of ($550,000.00) Five hundred and fifty thousand dollars in A CASHIER'S CHEQUE, which I kept for your compensation also the only money you have to send to my secretary is Us$85.00 according to Fedex Shiping
schedule for smooth delivery of the cashier's cheque to your address meanwhile refresh your full NAME,ADDRESS,TELE PHONE NUMBER AND DRIVER'S LIC OR PASSPORT to my secretary to avoid wrong delivery.

Regards.
Mr.peter John

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam