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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)
• 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.
  • +2348065820008 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "james adetola" <gusinsky2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: james_adetola1@o2.pl
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 12:37:00 +0000
Subject: From Dr. James A. Williams Jr. (Please open and read)

From The Desk of Dr. James A. Williams Jr.
Chairman Contract Awarding Committee
Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation
Private Phone Number: 234-80658-20008

I am the chairman contract awarding committee Federal Ministry of
Petroleum Resources Nigeria. I am in search of an agent to assist us in the transfer of (USD38.5M) THIRTY-EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY. 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 for you.

Yours Faithfully,
Dr. Ishola Williams Jr.
Chairman Contract Awarding Committee
Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation

 

 

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam