The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
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.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
"dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
"security keeping fee" (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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
"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)
"waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
"barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
"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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
+22998259705 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barrister.Peter Ezeh" <dhg4342@peoplepc.com> Reply-To: "Barrister.Peter Ezeh" <globaltrustcurriercompbenin08@y7mail.com> Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2010 13:49:43 -0400 (EDT) Subject: CONTACT GLOBAL TRUST SECURITY COMPANY FOR YOUR DRAFT OF
$850,000.00
(PETER EZEH & COUNSELORS AT LAW)
06 BP 1409 AKPAKPA DODOMEY
COTONOUREPUBLIC
OF BENIN.
Dear Friend,
I have been waiting for you
since to come down here and pick your Consignment as I cashed your Cheque of
$850,000.00 USD but did not hear from you since that time. Then I went and
deposited the Sealed Consignment with Global Trust Security Company here in BeninRepublic,
because I traveled to Holland
to see my boss and will not come back till next month end. I want you to
contact Global Trust Security Company to know when they will deliver your
package. I have paid for the delivering charges and insurance fee. The only
money you have to send to them is there security keeping fee which is $150.00
Us Dollars to receive your package. This is their Contact Information Below
DIRECTOR; Dr. JIM NKOH
Director Global TrustSecurityCompanyBeninRepublic.
E-mail:globaltrustcurriercompbenin08@y7mail.com
E-Mail;globaltrustcurriercompanybenin14@ymail.com
Phone number; +229 9825-9705.
Try to contact them as soon
as possible to avoid increasing the security keeping fee.
Below is the information you
required to send to them;
Full
name......................
Home
address.....................
Telephone...............
Age......................
Sex................
Note. The GlobalTrustSecurityCompanyBENINREPUBLIC
doesn’t know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a Box of an FAMILY VALUABLES.
They don't know it contents money. This is to avoid them delaying with the Box.
Don’t let them know what is contains. I am waiting for your urgent response.
You can even call the Director of Global Trust Security Company with this line
+229 9825-9705.Let I know immediately you receive your Consignment.
Thanks and God bless
Barrister Peter Ezeh
________________________________________
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