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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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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:
  • "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. )
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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.
  • +2348036793260 (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.
  • ups.service.nigeria@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Marie Alex" <mariealexmmm@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ups.service.nigeria@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 03:44:50 +0100
Subject: HELLO : YOU HAVE A PACKAGE WITH UPS EXPRESS SERVICE


*Greeting !!!*

*This is to bring to your notice that a bank draft of $1,000,000.00 United
States Dollars,have been issued in your favour by the World Bank from a
random computer e-mail search. I Mrs. Marie Alex , a worker in the World
Bank have deposited the draft with (UPS EXPRESS, NIGERIA), after many
e-mails to you which you have not replied.. I have travelled out of Nigeria
now, I do hope that you will receive this mail and act fast.What you have to
do now is to contact the UPS EXPRESS, NIGERIA as soon as possible to know
when they will deliver the package to you because of the expiring date. For
your information,I have paid for the delivering Charge,Insurance premium and
Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money
or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.*

*You are advice to contact the courier services immediatey Again, I would
have paid for the Security Keeping fee but they refused because they said
they don't know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage.You have
to contact the UPS EXPRESS, NIGERIA now for the delivery of your Bank
Draft valued at $1,000,000.00 United States Dollars with this information,
All you have to do is contact or furnish UPS EXPRESS NIGERIA with your
identification for verification of the details there in their office. Send
them the following details with their email there as emailing me back will
be impossible.*

*Names in full
Residential Address....
Country.....
Telephone number,....
Contact Person: Mr. Noyin Efe*

*Email Address: **ups.service.nigeria@gmail.com*<ups.service.nigeria@gmail.com>
*Telephone Number : +234-803-679-3260*

*Contact Mr. Noyin Efe there and know when the Draft will get to your
address,Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this
mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security
Keeping fee of $330 US Dollars Only for their immediate action.*

*You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive your
Draft.*

*Yours Faithfully,
Mrs. Marie Alex
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam