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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
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• 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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "the consignment " (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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "paul okafor"<paulokafor5515@excite.com>
Reply-To: paulokafor552@yahoo.fr
Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:51:52 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: FROM:Dr Paul Okafor.


FROM:Dr Paul Okafor.Central Bank of Nigeria.Tinubu-Square,Lagos Nigeria.DATE: 26th /6/ 207ATTN: HONORABLE CONTRACTOR Dear Sir/Madam,Sequel to the secretive arrangement in regards of the shipment of your contract sum, I wish to inform you that all necessary modalities have been automatically concluded and have left Nigeria to London via your Country today by Express Cargo Flight.Note carefully the content of the crate is "MONEY" but I did not disclose it to the Courier Services as Money,rather I informed them that the crate contain Vital"DIPLOMATIC DOCUMENTS" belonging to my client (that´s you)Furthermore, the weight of the consignment is 220kg but I manage to pay 120kg, which cost US$25,600.00. On account should you disclose the content of the crate with the Diplomatic Courier Services for fear of betrayal. So do not allow them to know that the content is money.In the meantime,I will give you the contact of the Diplomatic Courier Services for you to contact them and know the
actual situation, which i will be gveing to you let with Best Regards,the consignment and also give them your address where the consignment will be delivered and then get back to me as soon as possible so that I can give you the shipment document.Meanwhile, I will be coming over to your country immediately the consignment arrives in your Country for my 20% share.Congrats and remain blessed.Best Regards,From:Dr Paul Okafor

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam