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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "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)
  • "million us 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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "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. )
  • "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Boukary Ouedraogo <boukaryouedraogo7@msn.com>
Reply-To: <ouedraogoboukary88@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 07:59:05 +0000
Subject: YOUR URGENT REPLY NEEDED IMMEDIATELY




YOUR URGENT REPLY NEEDED IMMEDIATELY
FROM THE DESK OF DR.BOUKARY OUEDRAOGO
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK OF BURKINA-FASO
IMMEDIATE CASH PAYMENT
REF: CBB/IQD/QQX/911/06
[OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR]
DIRECT LINE:+226-78092735
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT NOTIFICATION AQ/CQNT/NBPC/FGB/MIN/001
ATTN : HONOURABLE BENEFICIARY

Our records of outstanding contractors due for payment, with the
federal government of Burkina-Faso, Your name was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments. I am DR.BOUKARY OUEDRAOGO, The executive governor central Bank Of Burkina-Faso(CBB)

Firstly, I plead on behalf of my country and the Central Bank of
Burkina-Faso for not contacting you all this while as regards your contract payment, which I know by now, must have cost you some inconviniences, I am promising You on behalf of the central bank of Burkina-Faso that this will not repeat itself any more.

I want you to know that your payment is valid and maintained with us
here. I have ensured that you receive your fund through an
international certified bank draft through Diplomatic Courier Service acceptableand payable to you OR through bank transfer which you will get back to me with your account information, I advice you to co-operate with me and listen to my advice as the Central Bank of Burkina-Faso (cbb) will not be held responsible for any lapses or mis-direction of your fund due to your inabilityto co-operate with me who is in-charge as the new elected executivegovernor of the central bank of Burkina-Faso (CBB).

I can not vividly explain how this payment was generated / occured to
you, but i was informed before I resumed my humble office in that a contract with the federal government was executed in your favor by a foreign contractor, who at the point of execution did not receive his payments. Coupled with the fact that the computer departments of the central bank was burnt down some months ago before I resumed this humble office, and all available informations as regards your informations that was dropped by the foreign contractor was missing as well. when we were able to trace burnt files we were only left with youremail address which I can not see clearly. When this payment notificationwas forwarded to my humble office, I decided to contact you for immediate payment in an international certified bank draft, OR throughDiplomatic Courier Service to your Door step.

I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in my file your outstanding contract payment is $65 million united states dollars only (Sixty Five Million us Dollars).

Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings. I want you to send your information to me immediately and call .

Your Full Name: ______________________________
Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code not
P.O.BOX) : ______________________________
Name of City of Residence:_______________________________
Country:____________________________________
Working Identity Card/Passport
Age:___________________________________
Marrital Statue:___________________________________
Direct Telephone Number:____________________________________
Mobile Number:____________________________________
Fax Number:___________________________________
Occupation:________________________________
5) Working identity Card/driven License..........

As soon as this informations are received, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft OR through Diplomatic Courier Service to your Door step.

CONGRATULATIONS.
DR.BOUKARY
Central bank of BurOUEDRAOGO

Executive governor,kina-Faso (cbb).
DIRECT LINE:+226-78092735

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam