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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.

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:
  • "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.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. James Ochu" <kingjames@citizensinter.com>
Reply-To: kingjames_ao@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 03:47:54 +0000
Subject: Hello

Hello Dear

This may sound incredible or startle you but its true. Due to the
situation of things in our nation and the economy, many have been subjected
to hard life, armed robbery, fraudulent act, and struggling for survival, So
I thought of it and believe strongly that you can be of great assistance to
me, as I don’t want to involve myself in the strange acts.

I am one among the family of eight people, without a father, due to how
to raise fund to take care of the family and the younger ones I was forced
to drop out of school and face the world squarely by huzzling and struggling
to make ends meet because there are lots of unemployment in my country, due
to the way the economy is being run by the leaders.

I strongly believe that you can be of great assistance to me financially
to enable me take care of my mother and siblings so that they will not also
drop out of school, the ones that has stopped schooling due to financial
constraint will continue then I can also establish a small business firm to
help me build up the fund you will send to me.

Please, don’t turn down this my request for you can be a tool and a
channel to help save lives that are in desperate need and GOD ALMIGHTY in
Heaven above will surely reward you abundantly. I’m waiting eagerly to
receiving your positive reply urgently. What ever you will send, will go a
long way to save lives so please don't turn this my humble request down.

You can send anything or any amount through Courier Company or Western union
money transfer with this address:

JAMES A. OCHU
148 OLOJO DRIVE, OJO ALABA
LAGOS, NIGERIA
TEST QUESTION: WHO IS THE GREATEST
ANSWER: GOD

May Almighty GOD bless you richly for your understanding and assistance.

Best Regards

JAMES A OCHU

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam