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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:
  • "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)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "orkar bitiyong" <bitiyong_1@msn.com>
Reply-To: borkar@personal.ro
Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2006 21:59:32 +0000
Subject: YOUR COMMITTED REPLY NEEDED.

>From The Desk Of
DR. Orkar Bitiyong
129 Ikoyi Victoria Island
Lagos Nigeria.

Dear Sir,

I am the chairman of the Contract Awarding Committee,
Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in Nigeria.
I am in search of an agent to assist us in
the transfer of (US$18.6m) EIGHTEEN MILLION, SIX
HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS.

And subsequent investment in properties in your
country.You will be required to:
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum.
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment.
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

If you decide to render your service to us in this regard,
then a mutual agreement will be reached on what you may want as
your percentage offer in the total amount involved in this project.
Please reply as soon as posible.

Best Regards.

DR. Orkar Bitiyong.
Chairman Contract Awarding Committee {CCAC}.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam