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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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)
  • "from the desk of" (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)
  • "is 100% risk-free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • barrmikeobada1@yahoo.it

Fraud email example:

From: "mike obada" <mike_obada1@msn.com>
Reply-To: barrmikeobada1@yahoo.it
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 13:35:50 +0000
Subject: Attn:Chairman/Ceo

From the Desk of Eng,Mike Obada (UNN);M.Sc;Ph.D
Financial Controller (NNPC) Engr.Mike Obada
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Falomo Office Complex
Ikoyi, Lagos - Nigeria
Date:21st feb.2006

 

Attn:Chairman/Ceo

 

                  CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
.
Dear Friend ,

I,Engr. Mike Obada, the Financial Controller of Nigeria National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and by that virtue a Director in the NNPC
Lagos. I got your contact address from an associate working with the Nigeria
Export Promotion Council and I decide to propose to you this business in
strict confidence.

PURPOSE: On behalf of myself and my colleagues who is ministerial
official and other officer in charge of  Offshore remittance in this
corporation.We are seeking your assistance for the transfer of Twenty
Six million,Three Hundred Thousand United States dollars (US26,300,000.00)
to your account for further private investment purpose. Hence our request for
your assistance.
SOURCE OF FUND: This amount to be transferred into your account accrued
fromover- invoiced contract amount for the construction of Oil Refinery
Sub-Station in Nigeria (Northern Region) in 2001 to expatriate
companies.The contract which was originally valued for (One Hundred and Twenty Seven
Million,Seven Hundred Thousand U.S.Dollars) US$127,700,000.00 was
manipulated toread One Hundred and Fifty Four Million U.S.
Dollars(US154,000,000.00). The extra $26,300.000.00 is what we want to
transfer to your account.

This contract has been completely executed and the contractors had been
paid all their contract bills remaining the $26,300.000.00 USD.
DISBURMENT: We have resolved that you decide on the percentage you will
receieve on the total amount for your assistance because it is
impossible for us to claim the contract over-invoiced money here in
Nigeria without your assistance.
SECURITY: All modalities to effect the payment and subsequent transfer
of this money has been worked out, so this transaction is 100%
RISK-FREE Though, you are required to treat this business with strictest
confidence.I await your immediate response through my private email
id(barrmikeobada1@yahoo.it) on my attention and send me your confidential
fax and phone number for speedy correspondence.
I will highly appreciate it if you treat this business with confidence
it demands for security reasons.It will surprise you why
we choose you and trusted you for this transaction.Yes,we believe that
good friend can be discovered and business like this cannot be realized
without trust. This is why we have decided to trust you for this
transaction.

We are looking forward to doing this transaction with you. Be further
informed that your interest and security had been considered before you
were contacted so be rest assured and feel free to go into this
transaction with us. But let honesty and trust be our watchword throughout this
transaction and your prompt reply will be highly appreciated.
Very truly yours,
Engr. Mike Obada.

 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam