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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:
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: jude okwu1 <jude_okwu1@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 03:05:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: WAITING



Mr JUDE OKWU

LAGOS-NIGERIA WEST AFRICA

DEAR FRIEND,
I AM A DIRECTOR OF THE CONTRACT SECTION OF THE NIGERIAN
TRANSPORT AND AVIATION HEADQUARTERS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA, WEST
AFRICA.I WRITE BASED ON A RECOMMENDATION FROM A RELIABLE
SOURCE.
BY VIRTUE OF MY POSITION IN THE MINISTRY, MYSELF AND SOME
OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE BENEFICIARIES OF FUNDS IN THE SUM OF
$25,000,000.00(TWENTY FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS).
THIS AMOUNT IS PRESENTLY AWAITING OFFSHORE REMITTANCE INTO
FOREIGN ACCOUNT SINCE IT COULD NOT BE PAID HERE DUE TO
RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON CIVIL SERVANTS REGARDING OWNERSHIP
OF FOREIGN ACCOUNT.
THIS AMOUNT IN QUESTION ($25,000,000.00) RESULTED FROM OVER
INVOICED BILLS FROM CONTRACT EXECUTED BY A FOREIGN FIRM IN
MY MINISTRY TO THE TUNE OF$59,000,000.00 (FIFTY NINE
MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS).
THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTOR
HAS RECEIVED THE $34,000,000.00(THIRTY FOUR MILLION UNITED
STATES DOLLARS) DUE TO HIM, WHILE $25,000,000.00(TWENTY
FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) OVER INVOICED SURPLUS
IS NOW FLOATING IN A SUSPENSE ACCOUNT.
IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKDROP THAT I SEEK YOUR COOPERATION IN
ACCOMODATING THIS FUND IN YOUR CUSTODY.FOR YOUR PART IN
HELPING US, MY COLLEAGUES AND I PROPOSE 20% OF THE TOTAL
SUM TO YOU, 70% FOR
OURSELVES AND 10% FOR MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES ON BOTH SIDES
LIKE TELEPHONE AND FAX BILLS.
I ASSURE YOU THAT WE HAVE DONE OUR HOME WORK VERY WELL IN
OTHER TO MAKE THIS DEAL 100% RISK FREE. IF YOU ARE
INTERESTED IN THIS SAFE DEAL, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT ONCE
THROUGH E-MAIL.
THIS TRANSACTION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED UNDER FIVE
WORKING DAYS WITH YOUR COOPERATION AS ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE
MINISTERIAL DEPARTMENT
IN CHARGE OF THE TRANSFERENCE HAS BEEN CONCLUDED, IF YOU
HAVE ANY QUESTION, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
Mr JUDE OKWU



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam