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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
  (+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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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 beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • +2347037250777
• 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.
  • mrcharlesmcdowell@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "UNITED NATION" <unitednation1@unimail.mn>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:06:51 -0700
Subject: Dear Beneficiary,


UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL
OVERSIGHTSERVICES

Internal Audit,Monitoring,Consulting And Investigations Division



Dear Beneficiary,

How are you today and hope all is well with you and family?. You may not
understand why we are sending this message to you,but i will implore you to
take your time to go through this mail carefully.

We have been having meetings with Microsoft and the Federal Government of
Nigeria for compilation of names and email account of Victims of Internet
Fraud from Nigerian 419 scams since the past seven months which just ended
yesterday at our office (UNITED NATIONS) head quarters in New York.

We are proud to inform you that this your email account is selected as one
of the beneficiaries of compensation payment of $2.5m (Two Million and Five
Hundred United States Dollars) for falling victim of the above fraud
syndicate.

You are hereby advised to urgently contact Mr charles mcdowell of CENTRAL
BANK OF NIGERIA,as he is our representative in Nigeria and the person in
charge of the release of your approved payment through a ATM CARD to avoid
further fraud.He is one of the few Nigerians we have tested and confirmed
worthy to handle this job without fear or favour.

*You should send him your full Name/telephone number and your mailing
address where this Draft will be dispatched to without any further delay.

Conatct Name: Mr charles mcdowell*
*Email Address: *(mrcharlesmcdowell@yahoo.com)
*Direct Tel: +2347037250777

Hoping to hear the good news from you for we are here to make the World a
better place.

Congratulations in advance.*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam