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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "registration fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "cheque " (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. )
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • +2348072869662 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • globalexpresscoxx44@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: chief oni <chiefoni014@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 04:39:41 -1000
Subject: contact them



ATTN MY DEAR FRIEND,

Good day, How are you today? I am writing to inform you that I have Paid the registration fees for your Cheque/Draft. And I went to the bank to confirm if the Cheque has expired or nearing expiration and Mr.Ahmed Zafa, the Director of Financial CAPITAL BANK told me that before the cheque will get to your hand that it will expire.

So I told him to convert the EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS to cash payment to avoid losing the funds.However,all the necessary arrangement of delivering the US$850,000.00 (EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS )in cash was made with GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER LIMITED here in Nigeria.

Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Financial Trust Bank has to package this sum of $850,000.00 in cash for me. Then he also agreed to help me to register the Consignment with GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER LIMITED.Infact I thank God very much for all the movements I made as every thing goes smoothly.As for our agreement with the GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER LIMITED they promised that your consignment will leave this Country on monday next week but the Director of operations, GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER LIMITED said that they need your contacts address/information to able them establish contact with you immediately the Diplomat/Agent arrives to your Country.You are therefore required to write a letter of application to the address below.

Attn: Mr. John WilliamsTEL: 234-807-286-9662EMAIL: (globalexpresscoxx44@myway.com)

You should send them your contacts/information to able them locate you immediately they arrive in your country with your BOX .The information needed from you are as follows thus:

1.YOUR FULL NAME2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.3.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.5.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE

Please make sure you send this needed informations to the Director,operations, GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER LIMITED in care of Mr John Williams with the address given to you.Note.The GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER LIMITED doesn't know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a BOX of film materials. They don't know it contains money. this is to avoid any unnecessary delays with the BOX. Under no circumstance should you let them know that is money that is in that Box.I am waiting for your urgent response.Thanks and Remain Blessed.

Chief Oni
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam