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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:
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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic delivery"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "transfer of your funds" (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)
  • "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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 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.
  • +447024023171 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: alen pondy <alenpondy3@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mralen1@inMail.sk>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:57:07 +0000
Subject: Get back to me urgently



>From Dr. Alen Pondy.
Head, Banking Operations,
Broad Bank Nigeria Plc.
Plot 78/80, Ajose Street,
Victoria Island,
Lagos - Nigeria.

Dear Sir,

On behalf of the board and management of EcoBank Nigeria Plc, I Dr Alen Pondy, the head of banking Operations wishes to inform you that your fund have been approved for payment in cash.

This decission was taken due to delay in transfer of your funds by our oversea corresponding banks and series of complaints from our customers in transfer of their funds.

However, we have concluded arrangement to deposited your fund tagged as diplomatic luggage with a reputable diplomatic courier company in London, which will handle the delivery of your consignment to your doorstep in your country through diplomatic means.

Note that your consignment have today left Nigeria to London en-route to your Country by Express Cargo Flight and all the delivery charges paid to the diplomatic delivery courier company in London.
In line with the binding diplomatic consignment delivery policies, kindly furnish us with the following as set forth.

1. A copy of your international passport or any other means of identification as the true consignee.

2. The address where the above cargo/funds should be delivered to

3. Your mobile, office or home telephone number and your fax number.

Meanwhile, we urge you to treat the above requirement with utmost urgency to enable us dispense our duties and obligation accordingly thereby allowing us to serve you in a timely fashion.

In the meantime, contact the Diplomatic Courier Services on Tel: +447024023171, Fax: +4470240231071 to know the actual situation with the consignment.

Upon satisfactory receipt of all the above mentioned, you will be further acquainted with the detailed delivery itinerary including information of the diplomat who will accompany your consignment.

As always, feel very free to contact us should you have any further question as our customers rights are continuously protected.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Alen Pondy
Head, Banking Operations,
EcoBank Nigeria Plc.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam