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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• 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.

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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:
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
• 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.
  • +2348029889426 (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.
  • shamnsdenusman@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: financialmonitoringunit@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:21:59 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GOOD DAY/ URGENT MESSAGE FROM DR USMAN SHAM


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: shamnsdenusman@yahoo.com

Dear sir, please call for more information. 234-80 29 88 94 26.

Thanks.

- Dear Sir,I write to notify you that your payment Contract of $15.5M been a transfer through ATM DEBIT CARD, and your name has been regsitered among the contractor from next week payment. Following the new Mandate of the Senate Committee panel headed by the new Senate President over Foreign Payment and Debt reconciliation 2008. Meanwhile you are hereby to re-confirm the followings: Full Name, Valid Contact Address, Your Phone Number . I Await to receive details from you. Have a nice day. Dr Shamsdeen Usman, (Finance Minister FGN)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam