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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:
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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:
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "mary marylan" <marylan_nnpc200@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:07:15 +0000
Subject: good day

Ms Patricia Bridier
Email:patricia_bridiercbn@accountant.com
AUDITOR GENERAL (Central Bank of Nigeria)

Dear Sir,

Good day to you. I have the privilege and singular honour of contacting you
based on this premeditated and well thought out deal which I feel you would
be interested in and given your sincere support and cooperation we can
together like a family consummate to our good, benefit and satisfaction at
no risks at all to any party.

There is a particular sum of money ($18.8M) which has been floating in the
suspense account of the apex bank and the funds have remained unclaimed over
a decade. I have the intention of investing in any lucrative business
through you in your country and I would appreciate if both of us could seal
this deal and I would use my share to invest through you in any viable
investment or any other viable business venture that would be determined by
you.

If you are interested, kindly get across to me so as to enable me furnish
you with the modalities on how the funds could be wired to your nominated
bank account. Be rest assured that this deal is risk free because I am an
insider. I am certainly not alone as the key banking supervisors and
operating agents are in agreement to guarantee maximum success. Kindly
respond by email to:
patricia_bridiercbn@accountant.com

Kindest regards,

Ms Patricia Bridier

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam