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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • jacksonmomohfmw@netscape.net

Fraud email example:

From: "MATHEW Momoh" <jackmomohfmw3@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 06 Jan 2006 01:20:31 +0000
Subject: XXHELLO FRIENDXX

Dear Friend,

I am a project manager with the Federal Ministry of Works& Housing (FMW&H).
I obtained your email from the internet,while searching for a reliable
person, who could assist us in receiving cash gift from contractors awarded
contracts executed under the current budgetary allocationfor NDDC.These
bills had been approved for payment by the concernedministry. The contracts
had been executed and commissioned.
What we are about to receive now, is a promised cash giftfrom the
contractors whom we have helped during the processof obtaining the contracts
and in the processing of their payments. On our part, all modalities had
been workedout in ensuring a smooth conclusion of the transfer to you within
the next twenty one days. All I want from you is your details to enable
these foreign contractors forward the cashgift to you on our behalf, because
as government officialswe cannot collect these cash gift directly from them,
neither are we allowed by law to operate/run a foreign accounts.
If you are trustworthy and can assist me in receiving these cash gift, I
will like you to provide immediately to me, your full names, address, and
telephone number.Please note that there will be no financial
obligationrequired from you and this transaction is risk free.For each cash
you receive on our behalf, you will be entitled to 10% of that sum. As soon
as you indicate your interest, further instructions will be passed on to you
on the procedure that we will follow in accomplishing this deal.

Kindly reach me immediately via my personal e-mail address
[jacksonmomohfmw@netscape.net] furnishing me with your details.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
Mr. Jackson Momoh

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam