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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:
  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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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:
  • "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. )
• 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.
  • +2347034438183
• 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.
  • jimovia_zenithbanknigeria@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "KOFI ANNAN" <kofi.annan03@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 13:33:58 +0100
Subject: TREAT AS CONFIDENTIAL PLEASE


*[image: KOFI A. ANNAN of Ghana , the seventh Secretary-General of the
United Nations] **Attn:Sir/Ma.

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

We have been having a meeting for the pass 7 months which ended some days
ago at our office head quarters New York(UNITED NATIONS).

This email is to all the people that feel they have been scammed in any part
of the world,the UNITED NATION have agreed to compensate them with the sum
of US$ 100, 000.*
*** *
*This includes every foreign contractors that may have not received their
contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or
international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc.

We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you,this
have been agreed upon and has been signed.

You are advised to contact MR. JIM OVIA of ZENITH BANK OF NIGERIA,as he is
our representative in NIGERIA, contact him immediately for your Cheque of
USD$ 100,000. This funds are in a Cheque for security purpose ok? so he will
send it to you and you can clear it in any bank of your choice.

Therefore, you should contact:MR. JIM OVIA, MD/CEO,ZENITH BANK OF NIGERIA on
this information below.*
*** *
** *TEL: +234-703-443-8183*
** *MAIL: **jimovia_zenithbanknigeria@yahoo.com*<http://uk.mc272.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jimovia_zenithbanknigeria@yahoo.com>
** *** *
** *Thanks and God bless you and your family.Hoping to hear from you as soon
as you cash your Cheque.

Making the world a better place

Regards,

Mr. Kofi Anann
Former Secretary (UNITED NATIONS).*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam