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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • felicia_balogun@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Felicia Balogun" <feliciabalogun@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 04 Oct 2005 02:35:47 -0700
Subject: DEAR SIR/MADAM Confidential

DEAR SIR/MADAM  Confidential

  RE: Economic Investment scheme in your country.
    -----------------------------------------------

I am Mrs Felicia Balogun, the wife of Nigeria Former
Inspector-General who is now standing trial for corrupt
enrichment of self in the upper court.

The entire family has been thrown into total economic
hardship ranging from confiscation of assets and accounts
at home and abroad to the Federal Government of Niegria.

Meanwhile, we have a total sum of usd$40m dollars (fourty
million u.s dollars) kept in a private vault in europe
only known to me and my husband which i hereby solicit
your assistance to transfer the fund into your financial
custody for economic investment scheme in your country on
our behalf under your sole ownership scheme and
supervision.

Nevertheless, you will be richly generously compensated
for your assistance and services with 30% commission which
could of course be converted into a capital base for a
joint partnership economic investment scheme if you so
desire it.

Futhermore, you would however furnish me with a
comprehensive  personal details of yourselve as soon as
you receive
this mail for further transaction,if you are therefore
interested.This details are;your full name.your contact
addrese,your phone and fax and your marital status.

I hope to hear from you without delay in the light of hope
and good will.

Best Regard's

Mrs Felicia Balogun.
N;T,pls reply me back to this mail.
felicia_balogun@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam