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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.

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "swift card payment center" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
  • "million united states 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)
  • "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: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <dr.usman-shamsudeen@live.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 11:11:10 +0000
Subject: International Credit Settlement via Atm Card




Dear sir/madam,

This is to officially inform you that an international credit settlement via atm card of Ten
Million United States dollars has been issued to you please contact DR USMAN SHAMSUDEEN for
more detail. Name: DR USMAN SHAMSUDEENEmail: dr.usman-shamsudeen@live.com

You are required to provide the following information:
1. Your full name.2. Phone and fax number.3. Address were you want the ATM Card to be sent.4. Your age and current occupation5. Attach copy of your identification.

Dr. Usman ShamsudeenDirector (CBN, IRD, and ATM)Dept. International RemittanceSwift Card Payment CenterCentral Bank of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam