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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "inheritance funds" (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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: PETER AKA <peteraka_8@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <peteraka_1@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 23:12:41 +0000
Subject: REPLY


FROM THE DESK OF,MR. PETER AKA.FINANCE MINISTRY.FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIG._______________________ RE: IMMEDIATE ORDER / GUARANTEE FOR PAYMENT. ____________________________________________Attn: Sir/Madam, Sequel to the agreement between my government and yours in the Last G 8 meeting held in Gleneagles Scotland between Nigeria Government and United Nation in conjunction with World Bank,where we reassured and endorsed our signatories that all outstanding foreign payment due for the release with Bank's in Nigeria/Africa both contract and will inheritance Funds will be paid off in this present month of this second quarter of this fiscal year, to restore back to the business relationship lost by our passed regime of our last Government due to their selfish interest. Therefore, I have mapped out enough funds to offset all debt owed to foreigners by the past government, And I have also instructed the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) and Senate Committee on foreign payment to submit the files of all affected foreign payment for proper verification. Then, From the records of outstanding foreign payments due for release with bank's in Nigeria/Africa by the passed regime of our past Government, 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 today that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you re-confirm your details, so that i can authenticate the payment legally. Also note that from our record, the Federal Ministry Of Finance through Government of Nigeria, has only mapedout for you the sum of US$5,500,000.00 (Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to be release to you for now as part-payment, after which the remaining part of your claims will be release to you. Kindly re-confirm to us the followings:1) Your full name.2) Contact Address,3) Phone And 4) Age, 5) Occupation In receipt of the above information, your payment will be approve and pay to you by Telegraphic Wire Transfer to any of your nominated bank account as you will be listed, Then you are also advise to call me immediately for immediate payment release. Note: Your payment is schedule to hold within 72 hours immediately you get back to me with the above mention requirement, So this letter is an evidence of notification of payment to your name and after 7 days of this letter counting from the date of dispatch without hearing from you, I shall declare your payment, A Federal Government fund and subsequently convert it into the Government coffers. This decision is binding in accordance with Article 356 Act of the laws establishing this supreme office. Yours faithfully, Mr. Peter Aka,FOR: THE MANAGEMENT:FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam