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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:
  • "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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic security company" ("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. )
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
  • +447092027911 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
  • +2348033307768 (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.
  • contact_emeruem@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "ORDER OF PAYMENT FROM PRESIDENCY OFFICE"<montti@goldmail.de>
Reply-To: <mr.johnmark@overseadiplomaticsecuritycompany.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 21:54:08 -0800
Subject: PART-PAYMENT SETTLEMENT OF US$25.5 MILLION VIA COURIER SERVICE.

THE PRESIDENCY
CONTRACT PAYMENT & AUTHORIZATION BOARD
OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT OF NIGERIA
Annex-Office, Block 20 Presidential Liaison Complex, Marina -Lagos
Tel No: 234-803-330-7768
Email: contact_emeruem@yahoo.com


PART-PAYMENT SETTLEMENT OF US$25.5 MILLION VIA COURIER SERVICE.

Dear Beneficiary

Compliment of the season,

I am Mr.Emma Emeruem chief accountant of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Sequel to the secretive arrangement in regards of the shipment of your contract sum, I wish to inform you that all necessary modalities have been automatically concluded and have left Nigeria to London via your Country today by Express Cargo Flight.

Note: carefully the content of the crate is "MONEY" but I did not disclose it to the Courier Services as Money, rather I informed them that the crate contain Vital "DIPLOMATIC DOCUMENTS" belonging to my client (that’s you).

Furthermore, the weight of the consignment is 150kg but I manage to pay 100kg, which cost US$1500,00,on no account should you disclose the content of the crate with the Diplomatic Courier Services for fear of betrayal. So do not allow them to know that the content is money.

In the meantime, contact Mr. John Mark Director of (OVERSEAS DIPLOMATIC SECURITY COMPANY) TEL/FAX NUMBER: +44 709-202-7911,Email (mr.johnmark@overseadiplomaticsecuritycompany.com) London now or tomorrow to know the actual situation with the consignment and also give them your address where the consignment will be delivered and then get back to me as soon as possible so that I can give you the shipment document and the keys to the consignment.

Meanwhile, I will be coming over to your country immediately the consignment arrives in your Country for my 20% awaiting a positive response from you.

Thanks and bye for now.

Contact them and get back to me.

Congrats and remain blessed.

Best Regards,

Mr. Emma U. Emeruem
Chairman, Contract Payment & Authorization Commission
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam