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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.

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united state 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)
  • "30% for you " (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)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "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: "EBEN LUCKY" <luckyeben01@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: luckyeben@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 22:21:28 +0100
Subject: Please i expect your urgent and favourable reply


Dear Friend,
Confidential business proposal .

Having consulted with my colleagues, and based on the information gathered,
I have the privilege to request for your assistance to transfer the sum of
fourteen million united state dollars ($14m U.S.) into your account.

The above sum resulted from an over-invoiced contract,executed,commissioned
and paid for about four years ago by a foreign contractor.

This action was however intentional and since then the fund has been in a
suspense account at the central bank of Nigeria,my country apex bank.

We are now ready to transfer the fund overseas, and that is where your
assistance is needed.It is important to inform you that as civil servants,
we are forbidden to operate a foreign account,that is why we require your
assistance.

The total sum will be shared as follows: 60% for us, 30% for you and 10%
forlocal and international expenses incidental to the transfer.

The transfer is risk free on both sides and you will be indemnify against
any risk as regards to your title to the contract sum.

I am an accountant with the Nigerian national petroleum
corporation(N.N.P.C.). If you find this proposal acceptable,this business
will take us fourteen (14) working days to accomplish.

For confidential reasons, make sure you keep this proposal strictly to
yourself that is do not discuss with a third party on your acceptance of
this proposal.

Inaddition you should send to me your full telephone/fax number .

Please i expect your urgent and favourable reply
regards,
Lucky Eben

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam