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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:
  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:
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • +2348035254945 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Abiola Williams" <maryclement12@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: a_williams111@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 12 Feb 2006 11:57:17 -0500
Subject: QUICK RESPONSE(TIME FACTOR)DR.WILLIAMS

VERYURGENT/PRIVATE
TELL: +234-8035254945
ATTN:

I am Mr.Abiola Williams the present officer in charge of operations Central
Bank of Nigeria (C.B.N)I gotb your contact through online network, I am
contacting you in view that we might be of immense help to each other. I
have within my reach the sum of (20.000, 000)U.S.D twenty Million Dollars of
which I intend to make you the beneficiary
of the funds.
This money in question belongs to a deceased foreign contractor in Nigeria
of which I know 100% well that the money is hanging loose and unclaimed
within the Central Bank of Nigeria Territory. Due to my current position
as a present worker in the bank and also a Civil servant I cannot lay
claim on this money.
I wish to contact you so that you will indicate your interest as soon
as you receive this message, so that I will proceed and put your name
as the rightful beneficiary of the funds and move the money outside Nigeria
with your name. I intend to part you with 40% of the total sum, for your
assistance while 60% will be my own cut of the deal. Every record concerning
these funds and all the legal contract documents backing the funds will be
given by the ministries.
Please my good friend I want you to limit this matter personally to your
self, whatever your decision might be, all correspondence must be through
this mail box. Or my private phone number +234-8035254945 This deal is
100% risk free I look forward to hearing from you soonest.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Kindest Regards
Dr.Abiola Williams



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam