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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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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "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.
  • +2348060315567 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • mathewokafor2@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "mathew okafor" <mathewokafor@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mathewokafor2@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2006 02:51:15 +0000
Subject: FROM ENGR. MATHEW OKAFOR

FROM ENGR. MATHEW OKAFOR
NNPC TOWERS
IKOYI LAGOS-
NIGERIA
Phone: +234-8060315567
Email: mathewokafor2@yahoo.com

Dear Sir,

Good day,

I am the Chairman of the Contract Awarding Committee, Federal Ministry of
Petroleum Resources, Nigeria. I am in search of an agent to assist us in the
transfer of (US$15,4M) FIFTEEN MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED THOU SAND UNITED STATES
DOLLARS.($USD 15,400,000) 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, 20% of the total
sum will be offered to you.

Please, quickly get back to me through this alternative email:
mathewokafor2@yahoo.com , with your contact information to enable me give
you more details about this transaction.

I am waiting for your urgent and positive response.

Thanks and God bless you.

Yours sincerely,

ENGR. MATHEW OKAFOR.
Chairman Contract Awarding Committee {CCAC)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam