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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "vittorio foundation" (not involved with lotteries)
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "abuja" (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.
  • +2348078682717 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Yazmin Santacruz" <dept_consoledate_center_35@mchsi.com>
Reply-To: ecowascounsellor02@live.com
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:51:52 +0000
Subject:

This is to acknowledge the receipt of the requested data and the confirmation of your reliability in this universal
programme.

Do note that I have forwarded the produced data, to the head office of the Vittorio Foundation (ITALY) and the ECOWAS
head office(Organisationassigned to handle your payment) in NIGERIA. Included in this letter is your donation pin number
to be used when claiming your donation.

Your donation pin number is "21556770665488". This number should be kept strictly confidential by you, as you will use
it in receiving your donation.

You are to immediately contact the Payment officer in the ECOWAS office in Abuja, Nigeria for claim of your donation.
Please do contact the officer in the below information.

CONTACT INFOS.
MR. MUSA EL RUFIA
COUNSELLOR, ECOWAS HEAD OFFICE ABUJA.
PLOT 4, BLOCK 23,
GARKI, ABUJA.NIGERIA
EMAIL:ecowas_counsellor@live.com
PHONE NUMBER: +234 80 7868 2717

Do note that on contact with MR. MUSA EL RUFIA, you are to provide him with your full name and address. This will
enable the ECOWAS office prepare a check valued US$850,000.00 and all necessary documents required to
clear/cash the check in your name..

Please contact MR. MUSA EL RUFIA immediately. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Signed,
Foundation Secretary
Yazmin Santacruz

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam