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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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:
  • "terrorist clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
  • "clearance certificate" (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. )
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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 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.
  • adbcontact1@excite.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK" <presidentadb04@gala.net>
Reply-To: adbcontact1@excite.com
Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 17:09:55 -0700
Subject: YOUR FUND RELEASE


From Desk of the President
African Development Bank
No 12 Tinubu Square Lagos-Nigeria

Dear Beneficiary,

I am Mr. Donald Kaberuka, the President, African Development Bank, This
is to bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money
Transaction originated from any part of African and Europe countries as
Contract payment, Fund Inheritance or Lottery Winning due to
Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies in
releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money laundry
activities going on worldwide.

The World Bank Group has Mandated the African Development bank via my
office to release funds to beneficiaries through certified International
Bank Draft, Hence Your Name appears as one of the fund beneficiaries whom
their fund was Successfully cleared recently from Terrorist and Money
laundry and your money will be released to you through International
Cashier's Bank Draft that will be cashable from any International Bank in
your country been the only way you would receive your money to avoid paying
excess charges, As regard to this arrangement, you are advised to contact
the Director telex and
Screening Foreign Operations and Remittance Department. with the below
information

NAME: REV FRED UCHE
EMAIL: adbcontact1@excite.com

You are therefore advised to forward your direct telephone numbers, your
complete name and your mailing address to Rev Fred Uche for immediate
release of your money. Be aware that the amount due for you is Ten Million
United States Dollars Only (US10, 000,000.00). Be also informed that the
Fund Approvals and authorization document Including Anti-terrorist Clearance
Certificate was issued in your name and has been handed over to Rev Fred
Uche to release to you through any fast courier company, therefore be aware
that your fund has obtained all her clearance to be released to you.
Thanks for Your Cooperation.

Regards
Mr. Donald Kaberuka (President)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam