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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: Rev Johnson <revjohnson6674@msn.com>
Reply-To: <revjohnson777@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 16:50:21 +0000
Subject: Information




Dear Friend,

In accordance to my religious persuasion,I felt expedient to write and inform you on the wicked conspiracy hatched by the duo of JUSTICE AKANBI and Mr.Naiyaju of the Ministry of Finance to divert your money to their designated account in Europe.

>From my position as a owly clerk in this office,I discovered that they moved the Consignment from Lagos to SPAIN and from SPAIN; they have moved it last week to Banco Italiano in ITALY. Today I found out through the Central computer database that they are about to reroute your fund to AIR COURIER SRCURITY COMPANY in London. With this,I felt that it is important for me to alert you on this development.

They are still using your name and contract/inheritance identification number as the beneficiary but they have changed the account co-ordinate,that is why they are frustrating you by asking for money every time in order for them to go behind and contact you.
I have the reference number of the transaction and also I have the number of the official who is directly in charge at the AIR COURIER SRCURITY COMPANY in London.

Your Consignment is supposed to go through the London credit control financial clearinghouse before finally Lodge in AIR COURIER SRCURITY COMPANY in London Uk.All the data about your claim profile are within my reach.

I do not need gratification from you either in cash or kind; I can never be a part of evil because the bible said YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE.

Please respect my discretion in this matter, you can send an email to me so that I can give you the reference number and the name and contact information of the officials of the AIR COURIER SECURITY COMPANYin London UK.

I repeat, please do not expose my person, it is not easy to get jobs around here and I cannot contend with these powerful individuals because they can eliminate me just like that.

You can reach me through my email.

God bless you.
Rev Johnson Ibe.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam