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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
• How to report 419 spam to us
• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Ben Ubulu" <ben_ubu2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: ben_ub1@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2006 14:42:58 -0700
Subject: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

FROM: DR BEN UBULU.(CHAIRMAN) CONTRACT
AWARD COMMITTE FEDERAL MINISTRY,
OF DEFENCE NIGERIA.
web site (www.ministryofdefence-ng-gov.cjb.net)

GOOD DAY ,

I AM THE CHAIRMAN CONTRACT AWARD COMMITTE IN THE
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE,NIGERIA. IN VIEW OF MY PRIVILEDGED POSITION I WAS ABLE
TO ACCUMULATE SOME HUGE SUM OF MONEY AS A RESULT OF GRATIFICATION FOR MY
GOOD WILL.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY, I SHALL BE LEAVING THE OFFICE IN MAY 2007 AFTER EIGHT
YEARS OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO MY FATHER LAND AND DUE TO MY SENSITIVE
POSITION I CAN NOT INVEST IN ANY FRUITFUL VENTURE WHEN I AM STILL IN ACTIVE
SERVICE.

BASED ON THIS, I AM SOLICITING FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE
IN THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES, I SHALL BE WILLING TO INVEST INITIALLY THE
SUM OF $15M IN YOUR COUNTRY UNDER YOUR WATCHFUL SUPERVISION TILL I AM OUT OF
OFFICE.

IF MY PROPOSAL IS SUITABLE TO YOU, KINDLY CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY WITH YOUR
CONDITION OF SERVICE.

I AM ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR YOUR FAVOURABLE RESPONSE.

YOURS FAITHFULLY,
DR BEN UBULU.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam