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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
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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.

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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: tund_lemo2002@zipmail.com.br
Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:14:12 -0800
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?YOUR=20PAYMENT=20INFO=2E?=

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,LAGOS-NIGERIA


>From the Desk Of Deputy Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria. (CBN)

Attention: Hon. Contractor.

Congratulation your fund has been finally approved for immediate payment.

We have received a payment credit instruction from the federal
Government of Nigeria to credit your account with your full contract funds
from the Nigerian reserve account with our bank.

This is to notify you that your funds has been programmed for immediate
release into your nominated account but we can not transfer this funds direct
to your nominated bank account, because we are having a little problem with
International Monetary Fund (IMF) so our method of payment is by Diplomatic
Courier Service which means your payment will be issued by DRAFT.

Be inform that every arrangement regarding your cash payment through DRAFT
has been made. Note that as soon as your DRAFT arrives your Country, you
are to pick-it up in our Embassy or High commission in your country.
I want you to send your direct mobile phone and your international passport
for identification at the Embassy or High commission in your country to
me immediately, so that as soon as the DRAFT arrive in your country they
will call you immediately to notify you.

The expenses you will have to incurr is the Diplomatic courier fee which
is a secured way of securing your DRAFT from being lost on transit which
$195 dollars only and note that the copy of the DRAFT will be sent to you
via email attachment for you comfirmation.

Yours Sincerely,

Dr. Tunde Lemo
Deputy Governor

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam