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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "DR. USMAN BELLO" <drusman_bello2@msn.com>
Reply-To: dr_usmanbello2@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2005 00:37:41 +0000
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL.

From the Desk of: Dr.Usman Bello
Project Director (NNPC) Lagos Nigeria.
 
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP.
I am Dr . Usman Bello, Project Director Nigeria National Petroleum  Corporation (NNPC) and a member of Contract Tenders Board of the same parastatals. Your contact was reliably introduced to me at the Foreign  chamber of commerce and industry in my search for a reliable individual or
company who can handle a strictly confidential transaction, which involves Transfer of reasonable sum of money to a foreign account.

 

This money results from various contracts awarded by our corporation on  behalf of the Federal Government, which was deliberately over invoiced to the tune of $15.500.000.00 (Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States dollars). After the completion and commissioning of the contract, the contractual sum was paid to the contractors, leaving the over invoiced sum in the reserve account with the CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIAL (C.B.N). We therefore require the partnership of a foreigner or foreign firm to assist us in form of a trustee and provide an account for this transfer.
 
In my last meeting with my colleagues, it was unanimously agreed that 30% of the total sum would be given to you. 60% for me and my colleagues,while 10% will be used to reimburse the expenses that may be incurred during the course of this transaction.

I assure you that his transaction is 100% risk free as we have concluded  every arrangement to protect the interest of everyone involved. Like wise all modalities for the successful transfer of this money have been worked out with the Finance Ministry to facilitate the remittance of this money to
your designated bank account.

However, I will want to believe that you are honest enough and will not  raise any misgiving with respect to this transaction. More importantly,you will keep this transaction very confidential so as not to jeopardize this once in a lifetime ambition.
 
Finally if this business is of interest to you, then kindly contact me with your personal informations,
1: Your full name or Company name,
2: Your Home/Office Address,
3:Your telephone and fax number, for easy communication,
4:Your banking informations.
Your immediate response will be highly appreciated.
Best regards,
DR. USMAN BELLO.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam