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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier company" (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 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.
  • +22993222465 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: PRINCE FOWLER <princefowler3@msn.com>
Reply-To: <corresp.dept@live.fr>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 15:53:46 +0000
Subject: Be Rest Assured Taht I Will Be Leaving For Japan.



Be Rest Assured Taht I Will Be Leaving For Japan.
Hello Dear friend,
How are you and family today?
I am writing to inform you of your confirmable bank draft of the sum of $3600.000.00.
( Three million six hundred thousand united state dollars ).
I went to the bank to confirm the date of expery of the cheque and i find out it
approaching dead line date, I decide to contacted Mr.Kofi William the Director of
Financial Trust Bank who told me that before the cheque will get to your hand
that it will not be valid anymore. So I told him to cash the $3.600,000.00 USD
United States Dollars to avoid losting this funds.
However, All the necessary arrangement of delivering the $3.600,000.00 USD
UNITED STATES DOLLARS in cash was made with DHL Courier Company Ltd here in
Cotonou Benin Republic, Mr.Kofi William the Director of Financial Trust Bank
Cotonou have to package the sum of $3.600,000.00 USD in cash for me. Then he
also agreed to help me to Register the Consignment with DHL Courier COMPANY.
Infact I thank God for all the movement I made, every thing goes normally.
As for our agreement with the DHL Courier Company they promised that your
consignment will leave the Country this week, But the Director of the
DHL Courier COMPANY said that they need your contacts informations to enable
them meet up with you immediately the Diplomat Agent arrived to your Country.
Please write a letter of application to the given address below.

DR.FREDRICK SANCHEZ
Tel; 00229 93-222-465
TEl: 00229 98-283-043
E-mail: {corresp.dept@live.fr}
Please, Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .
This is what they need from you:

Your Full Name ===============
Your Home Address=============
Your corrent Tel:Numbers==========
You personal adentification===
PACKAGE REGISTERED CODE NO XTTRC.
SECURITY CODE SCTC/2001DHX/497/

Please make sure you supply those information to the Director general of DHL
Courier Company DR.FREDRICK SANCHEZ using the above info, Note: The DHL Courier
COMPANY don't know the contents of the Box. I registered it as family value
able they don't know it contents money, this is to avoid delay
during the delivering of the BOX. don't let them know that the box contains
money. I am waiting for your urgent response, You can even call the Director of
DHLCourier COMPANY with this phone line: 00229 93-222-465.
Thanks and Remain Blessed,
Best Regards,
DR. FOWLER

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam