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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:
  • "huge sum of money" (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)
  • "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)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +2348032930409 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • ezemike16@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Mike Eze" <ezefuture02@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 17:35:28 +0100
Subject: YOUR SINCERE AND URGENT RESPONSE IS NEEDED IN MY ASSISTANCE PLEASE.


*Good day,*
**
*Please i am sorry for contacting you via this media. But i have no option
but to write you this mail. I know that my letter may seem strange, but i
pray God that you give it a fair hearing and render your help. *
**
*My name is Mike Eze, I just graduated from the Calvalry School of Theology
where i went for my Pastoral Training. I'm in a kind of situation here and i
need your help.*
**
*My father was the former Chairman of the Oil and Mineral Producing
Development Committte(OMPADEC) of the Niger Delta States in Nigeria,and also
my father was a business man who happens to own some filling Stations in
Lagos, Port Harcourt and Delta States. *
**
*My father died in January 2002 in a bomb blast/explosion in Ikeja
cantonment in Lagos. **I am the only surviving heir to my father and
sometime before the accident occured he deposited a huge sum of money in my
account worth $16million US dollars.*
**
*My immediate problem right now is that of safety of my life,because of my
Stepmother. **My stepmother did not have any issue for my dad,and right now
she has collected all of my father's property including the filling stations
that he left for me because she was the Manager before he died. *

*She recently found out of the money my father lodge in my name in trust for
me and right now she want's me dead so she can have the money also.This is
the only legacy of my father left for me and she also want's it.
This is the reason i'm writing you to help me to secure a foreign account
where i can lodge this money without delay.*
**
*My training in Bible school has made me to understand that all things
worketh together for good to those who love God and are called according to
his purpose.I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.On your reply
indicate your telephone and fax numbers for oral discussion.*
**
*If you will do it for me 35% of this fund will yours,as i will be coming
over to your country as soon as this money get into your account, i want to
come to your country to invest my money and your advise as regards
investment plan is needed. *
*After your reply i will send the deposite Certificate which my late father
used to deposite this fund with the Bank.*
**
*I will also send an attached copy my international passport as soon as you
reply me.*
**
*I confidently await your urgent response.Telephone +234-8032930409

* *God Bless you and your family.
*
*Please contact me via my Private email: ezemike16@myway.com*
**
*Regards.
Mike Eze*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam