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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
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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:
  • "million 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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was sent to thousands of people)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +2348060085451 (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.
  • donald20000smith@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: donald smith <donald20000smith@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: donald2000smith@mighty.co.za
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 15:06:27 -0800 (PST)
Subject: I AM WAITING FOR YOUR URGENT REPLY


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: donald20000smith@yahoo.com

UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC.

127,BROAD STREET V/ISLAND

LAGOS-NIGERIA.

My Direct phone: 234-80-60085451



Dear Sir,


It is with trust and confidence that I make this urgent proposal to you

in view of the fact that you are a matured man and reasonable.I am the

Western District Manager, UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC. However, there is an

account

opened in this bank in 1998 and since then, no body has operated this

account

again. And after careful investigation, I discovered that the owner of this

account was the president of GUNN


FINANCE PTY LTD, a foreigner who died in 2001.his name is Mr Alex Sim from

Singapore.


The account has no beneficiary at present and investigation has proved

that this company does not know anything about the account. The total amount

in this account is US$11.Million United States

Dollars Only).In light of the above,


I therefore solicit your assistance to provide a Well maintained account

that can accommodate this fund.


The management is ready to welcome anybody preferably a foreigner who has

the correct information of the account which I will give you immediately,

if you indicate your willingness to handle this project with me.Now, the

management of the bank has ordered that all dormant accounts will be frozen.

On the strength of this order, I wish to make advantage of this situation

and present you as the beneficiary of this fund and get it Transferred

to your designated account. Please be informed that all documents relating

to this transaction will be destroyed immediately after the transfer, for

safety purposes.


On the receipt of your positive response, I shall apply for annual leave

for our face to face meeting in your country


SHARING RATIO: I will compensate you with 20% of the total money for your

assistance, but this percentage is negotiable.If this offer contends with

your approvals, kindly drop me email.Please include your phone number and

fax to enable me speak with you orally for more clarification.


Looking forward to hearing from you.


Best regards


Mr. DONALD SMITH





- donald smith

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam