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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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 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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• 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.
  • +2348057838365 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Paul Owen" <owepchambers3@msn.com>
Reply-To: owepchambers@yahoo.gr
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 15:29:19 +0000
Subject: ON MY PROPOSAL

Dear Amarjit Singh,

What I want from you is to be presented as the next of kin to enable the release as you have the same surname as my client. This makes the approval for the release very easy as everything will be handled legitimately. The deposit was made to be moved to europe and deposited after the release into an account. The total amount involved in the deposit is 18.6 million United States dollars. The money was deposited and moved as containing photographic materials. You will have 30% for this assistance. It is after the releasing that an account is opened in your name as the claimant and the money deposited. You can make transfer after that.The claim will be made in Madrid-Spain where the security/finance company has an affiliate for the release. The deposit is presently in spain.

After my submitting the release enabling documents and the approval by the security company trimark finance/security company for the release to you, the affiliate in Spain will be informed and you will be contacted to come over for the claim. It is then that you agree with them on the date you will travel for the claim but it have to be urgent as the deposit have started accruing demurrage.

For me to start the approval process, you have to send me a valid identity ie international passport copy or drivers license and tel/fax numbers. All the documents involved will be sent to you as I assure you as an attorney that this is risk free and legitimately handled.

This will not take more than two weeks to conclude. You should discuss this with Jack Shaw and tell her to contact me. You can reach me on +2348057838365. I look forward to your getting back to me soon.

On your response, i will send my international passport copy.

Sincerely,

Mr Owen Paul.

1 Obot Close, Victoria-Island,

Lagos, Nigeria.

Direct Tel: +2348057838365.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam