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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • addressbarclaysbanklondon_eng@yahoo.co.uk

Fraud email example:

From: BARCLAYSBANKPLC LONDON ENGLAND <barcl_sec@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <barclaysbanklondon_eng@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:06:49 +0100
Subject: immidiate payment from our bank




ATTENTION TO CONTRACTORS /BENEFICIARIESCONTRACT#: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009.Following the protest of the International Community, The World Bank, IMF and the instruction by Mr. President Commander in Chief of the Armed forces (ALHAJI UMARU MUSA YAR'ADUA) that all outstanding Foreign debts especially next of kin payment should be released to the Beneficiaries hence forth with unconditionally From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Government of Nigeria. I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.Also note that from the record in my file, your outstanding contract payment is (Fifteen Million, United States Dollars).Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings:1) Your full name.2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #.3) Company name, Position and Address.4) Profession, age, sex and marital status.5) Any kind of identificationAs soon as this information are received, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft or wired to your bank account directly from Barclays Bank of London and you contact them with this email addressbarclaysbanklondon_eng@yahoo.co.uk or any of the sisters bank and the a copy of transfer confirmation information's will be given to you for you to take to your bank and confirm it.YOURS SINCERELY,Mrs. ALIYA SANTOS
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam