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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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 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.
  • ekpo2002@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Anthony Ekpo" <ekpo1011@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 05:10:56 -0700
Subject: YOUR FINAL PAYMENT APPROVAL NOTICE......


CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,LAGOS-NIGERIA


From the Desk Of Deputy Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria. (CBN)

Attention: Hon. Contractor.

Congratulation your fund has been finally approved for immediate payment.

We have received a payment credit instruction from the federal Government of
Nigeria to credit your account with your full contract funds from the
Nigerian reserve account with our bank.

This is to notify you that your funds has been programmed for immediate
release into your nominated account but we can not transfer this funds
direct to your nominated bank account, because we are having a little
problem with International Monetary Fund (IMF) so our method of payment is
by Diplomatic Courier Service which means your payment will be issued by
DRAFT.

Be inform that every arrangement regarding your cash payment through DRAFT
has been made. Note that as soon as your DRAFT arrives your Country, you are
to pick-it up in our Embassy or High commission in your country.

I will like you to send your direct mobile phone and your international
passport for identification at the Embassy or High commission in your
country to me immediately, so that as soon as the DRAFT arrive in your
country they will call you immediately to notify you.

The expenses you will have to incurr is the Diplomatic courier fee which is
a secured way of securing your DRAFT from being lost on transit which $295
dollars only and note that the copy of the DRAFT will be sent to you via
email attachment for your confirmation.

Yours Sincerely,

Dr. Anthony Ekpo.
Deputy Governor



You may as well reply to: ekpo2002@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam