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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• 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.
  • +2348037362667 (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.
  • standardtrustbank_georgejohnson@yahoo.no

Fraud email example:

From: "CROSS LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL" <cross_lottery_inter@msn.com>
Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 19:06:42 +0000
Subject: Congratulations Your E-mail Address Has won!!!

CROSS LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
Ref. Number: 639/898/007
Batch Number: 430456543-DD23
Dear Sir/Madam,


We are pleased to inform you of the result of The Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 6nd March 2006. Your e-mail address
attached to ticket number 55676546546-2343 with serial number 7645-543
drew lucky numbers 9-43-76-43-31-75 which consequently won in the 1st
category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of
US$200,000.00 (two hundred thousand United States Dollars)
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that
you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been
processed and your money Remitted to you. This is part of our security
protocol to avoid double
claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.All
participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over
20,000 company and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all
over the world. This promotional program takes place every three year.
This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Bill Gates, President of the
World Largest software, we hope with part of your winning you will take
part in our 2007 USD1.2million draw.International lottery. To file for
your claim, please contact the paying bank Mr.George johnson of
the,Standard Trust Bank plc Email
(standardtrustbank_georgejohnson@yahoo.no)
Remember,all winning must be claimed not later than30th of March.2006 After
this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Please
note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications remember to
quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.
Furthermore, should there be any change of addresses do inform the bank as
soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our members of staff
and thank you for being part of our promotional program.

Note: Anybody under the age of 15 is automatically
disqualified.

Sincerely yours,
Mr.John Anderson
Lottery Coordinator

Please contact George Johnson and email address
(standardtrustbank_georgejohnson@yahoo.no) as soon as you recieve this
mail.Do call the bank and furnish the bank with your phone and fax details
to enable them to forward you with the necessary documents that will help
you claim your prize.



Provide the paying bank with the information below:
1.Name:
2.Address:
3.Marital Status:
4.Occupation:
5.Age:
6.Sex:
7.Nationality:
8.Country Of Residence:
9.Telephone Number:
10.Fax Number:
11.Draw Numbers:


CONTACT: PROF.GEORGE JOHNSON
STANDARD TRUST BANK PLC
NO 1 BANK BUILDING PLAZA,
WUSE (11),
FCT, ABUJA, NIGERIA.
TEL:+234-80-37362667.

EMAIL :standardtrustbank_georgejohnson@yahoo.no
(INTERNATIONAL REMMITANCE DEPARTMENT)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam