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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:
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • +2348080255926 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Ernest Ebi" <eernestebi@excite.com>
Reply-To: ernestebi_cbnnigeria234@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:00:26 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: ATTENTION: HONOURABLE BENEFICIARY


CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)TINUBU SQUARE, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS-NIGERIATEL:234-8080255926
ATTENTION: HONOURABLE BENEFICIARY
>From the records of outstanding foreign payments due for release with banks in Nigeria, your name and contact was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding foreigners' payment which are still hanging on and who have not yet received their payments.I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you reconfirm your payment details so that we can authenticate the claim legally.
Also note that from our record the Federal Government of Nigeria has only mapped out the sum of US$6,700,000.00 Six million, seven hundred thousand united states Dollars) to be released to you for now, after which the remaining part of your claims will be released to you.
Kindly re-confirm to us the followings:
1) Your full name and mailing address.2) Telephone, Fax and mobile #.3) Occupation4) Age .5) Any bank account of your choice.
In receipt of the above information, your payment will be approved and paid to you by wired to your nominated bank account, you are advised to get back to me immediately for more clarifications.
Yours truly,
MR.ERNEST EBI,DEPUTY GOVERNOR (CBN)REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT(CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA)

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam