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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• 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:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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• What can you do when you receive 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:
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • 234877956683

Fraud email example:

From: ah_maman@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:13:25 -0300
Subject: FROM THE OFFICE THE DIRECTOR FOREIGN OPERATION


From: Dr. Usman Ahmadu
Director, Foreign Operation
ATM Card Dept
Central Bank of Nigeria
Tel: 234-877 95 6683


Dear,

Going by the series of petition received from International Body on
the way foreign contractors Fund was handled by our correspondence
office. After Extensive lose door meeting with Board of Directors And
other Stake holders in the Government, Subcommittees of the House of
Assembly and the House Of Rep, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It was Resolved and Agreed upon that you’re Heritance Fund would be
released on a special method of payment, which tag Name Reads ATM
CORPORATE VISA CARD. This Method of Payment is designed by the
Government to Avert fraud perpetration or stoppage of fund by some
Agencies. This ATM CORPORATE VISA CARD would be issued to you upon
meeting with the Bank Requirements.


This office has Been Mandated to take charge of the Issuance of your
ATM CORPORATE VISA CARD andyour contract/ Inheritance payment file
should be passed to my desk for clarification. Upon Certification that
your File is in order we would direct you on how to
Receive your over due contract fund via ATM CORPORATE VISA CARD

waiting for an urgent response.

Yours Sincerely,

Dr. Usman Ahmadu
Director, Foreign Operation
ATM Card Dept
Central Bank of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam