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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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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:
  • "million us dollars" (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)
• 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.
  • sheikh_amirusman@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "amir usman" <sheikh_amirusman@msn.com>
Reply-To: sheikh_amirusman@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2006 11:41:09 +0000
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL



ATTN,
PHONE-234-8033437351
PRESIDENT/CEO


MY NAME IS SHEIKH AMIR USMAN,AM THE DIRECTOR INCHARGE OF FINANCE AND
CONTRACT AWARDING DEPARTMENT OF NIGERIA NATIONAL PETROLEUM COPERATION(
NNPC).
LAST YEAR THERE WAS A LAYING OF OIL PIPELINE CONTRACT AWARDED TO A GERMAN
COMPANY INVOLVING THE SUM OF $65MILLION US DOLLARS.

I AND MY COLLEAGUE IN THE CONTRACT AND PRECUREMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE
[NNPC)USED OUR POSITION TO OVER INVOICE THE CONTRACT SUM FROM $65MILLION US
DOLLARS TO$90MILLION US DOLLARS.

AFTER THE CONTRACT WAS EXECUTED, THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTORS COLLECTED THEIR
$65 MILLION US DOLLARS AND THE BALANCE OF $25MILLION US DOLLARS SINCE THEN
REMAIN IN AN ACCOUNT IN THE [NNPC].
I AND SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE DECIDED TO LOOK FOR A TRUST WORTHY PERSON
THAT WILL HANDLE THIS BUSINESS.

EVERY MODALITIES ON HOW TO EFFECT THE TRANSFER OF THIS MONEY HAS BEEN
COMPLETED.WE NOW WANT A FOREIGN PARTNER WHO WILL PROVIDE US WITH A COMPANY
OR EVEN PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNT WHERE WE CAN TRANSFER THIS MONEY THROUGH
TELEGRAPHIC MONEY TRANSFER.
PLEASE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED KINDLY REPLY US IMMEDIATELY AND INDICATE YOUR
INTEREST THROUGH THIS MY PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS. sheikh_amirusman@yahoo.com
AND THE REST OF THE DETAILS SHALL BE MADE KNOWN TO YOU.
MEANWHILE WE PROPOSED THE MONEY TO BE SHARED AS FOLLOWS,
50%GOES TO US THE [NNPC] OFFICIALS, 40%GOES TO YOU FOR PROVIDING YOUR BANK
ACCOUNT AND 10% STANDS FOR ANY EXPENCES INCURRED LOCALY $ INTERNATIONALY
DURING THE TRANSACTION.
AM EXPECTING YOUR URGENT AND FAVOURABLE REPLY.

REGARDS,
SHEIKH AMIR USMAN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam