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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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.

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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:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "foreign payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr David Obi" <davidobioffice04@gmail.com>
Reply-To: david_obi_office@sify.com
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:46:47 -0700
Subject: Head Of Foreign Payment Department


Good Day,

I am Mr DAVID OBI, Head of foreign payment department. I have been
mandated to inform you about the recent development as in payment this
money after our board meeting, your case was mentioned and we have
agreed to pay you without any further delay so I would required you to
desist from any partner who may have been asking you to pay fee's before
the transfer can be made. The Federal Government has mandated the
payment commission that all payment that has been overdue and those owed
by the government would be paid unilaterally to the tune of $5m (Five
Million U.S Dollars Only).

Therefore all we will pay you now is the US$5m and the rest afterwards.
I would like you to employ transparency and honesty in this regards
because aiding and abetting will only keep your payment pending so I
will like you to confirm the following to avoid any mistake or wrong
transfer. The total fund belonging to you etc, the requested information
is to ensure that no mistake or error is made and it should be

forwarded in the manner stated below:
1.Your Full Name: Your Complete Address:
2.Direct Telephone Number:
3.Mobile Number:
4.Fax Number:
TREAT AS UTMOST URGENCY,

Head of Foreign Payment Department
DAVID OBI

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam