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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
  • "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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.
  • +23418994736 (Nigeria, landline)

Fraud email example:

From: =?utf-8?q?Mark=20Donald?= <mark_donaldnnpc123@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: markdonaldchairmancontract@live.com
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2009 14:25:42 +0530 (IST)
Subject: TRAET VERY URGENT


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: mark_donaldnnpc123@yahoo.in

Chairman Contract Award Committee

- Mark Donald

NNPC TOWERS IKOYI LAGOS,

Lagos, Nigeria.

TELL:234-1-8994736 br>
Attention:

I am the Chairman of the Contract Award Committee, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria I am in search of an agent to assist us in the transfer of US$50.4 Million (Fifty Million Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). And subsequent investment in properties in your country. You will be required to:

(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum

(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment

(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 20% of the total sum will be offered to you.

Mark Donald

Chairman Contract Award Committee {CCAC

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam