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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "huge amount 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)
  • "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
  • +2348027562689 (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.
  • dr_usman11@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "USMAN abu" <abu_dr@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: dr_usman11@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:04:55 -0400
Subject: FROM Dr.Usman Abu

From The Desk of:
Dr.Usman Abu
The Deputy Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria
TEL:TEL:+23480-27562689.
Top-Secret Tactful Immunity Compensation
Attn: Beneficiary,reply to dr_usman11@yahoo.fr
 
I Am Dr.Usman Abu, The DEPUTY Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria. I am Determined to Make Contact With becuase i am soliciting for your urgent assistance.I have Some two boxes containing some huge amount of money running into some millions of united states dollars.
This Is To Enlighten You About my Arrangement To Send this Funds To
You Via Cash Release As It Is The Only System That Will Be Easier For
You And me.
 
 I Have Secured Every Desirable Document To Cover The Money. Note: The Money Is Coming in 2 Security Proof Boxes. The Boxes Are Sealed With Synthetic Nylon That Was Sealed And Padded With Machine. This Fund Was Brought To Us From America (USA) And It Was Meant For Our Local A.F.E.M. Market, But Since The Money Was Not Used, I Will Use My Position As The Deputy Governor of Central Bank of nigeria To Send This Fund To You.
 
Please Don't Be Worried About Anything As Am Going To Finance This
Transaction.

 The Boxes Are Coming With A Diplomatic Agent Who Will come Along With The Boxes To Your House Address When Provided.
 
All You Need To Do Now Is To Send To Me Your Full House Address And Your Identity Such As, International Passport Or Drivers License Including Your Contact Phone & Fax Numbers For Easy Communication and Identification.
 
The Diplomat Attached to this operation Will Travel With This
informations.

 He Will Call You Immediately He Arrives Your Country's Airport. Hope
This Is All Right By You?
 
Please Don't Send Any Money To Any Body Here In Nigeria. Be Warned! I Will Enlighten You When The Special Grace Of God Will Airlift The Boxes.

Note: The Diplomat do Not Know The Original Contents Of The Boxes.
What I Acknowledged To Them As The Contents Is Sensitive Photographic Film Material.
 
I Did Not Declare Money To Them Please. If They Call You And Ask You
The Contents Please Tell Them The Same Thing. Call Me On My Direct
Phone Number:+23480-54263761, Also Send Me An Email And I’ll Let You Know How Far I Have Gone With The Arrangement.
 
I Will Secure The Diplomat Immunity Clearance Certificate That Will
Be Tagged On The Boxes To Make It Stand As A Diplomatic Consignment.

This Clearance Will Make It Pass Every Custom Checkpoint All Over The World Without Any Drawback. Confirm The Receipt Of This Message And Send The Requirements To Me Immediately You Receive This Message.
 
Please I Need Urgent Reply Because The Boxes Are Scheduled To leave As Soon As i Hear From You. Call Me Immediately You Receive This Message.
 
Best Regards,
Dr.usman Abu
The deputy Governor (CBN).
TEL:+2348054263761P
PLEASE GET BACK ME MY DIRECT EMAIL TO:dr_usman11@yahoo.fr

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam