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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
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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:
  • "abuja" (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 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.
  • princemonima@mail.ru

Fraud email example:

From: "Prince Monima" <princemonima@mail.ru> (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 6 May 2007 14:58:05 +0100
Subject: I want to sell 2 building properties in your Country

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am the sole survivor in a family of 20. My family was slaughtered by Niger delta militants because my father (the Chief) provided valuable security information to Government Security forces. In reprisal, my entire family was massacred… I survived because I was away in the university at Abuja. The Niger delta militants have vowed to hunt me down and kill me. Nigeria is no longer safe for me, and I have decided to leave my Country and seek a better life abroad. I AM RUNNING FOR MY LIFE! For more about Nigerian militants, click on any of the links below:

www.gamji.com/article6000/NEWS6567.htm

http://www.africamasterweb.com/AdSense/NigerianMilitants06Chronology.html

I urgently need your help to settle in your Country and complete my University education .I have never traveled abroad but my father’s Lawyers called me and informed me that my father left for me ASSETS worth over US$25million in your Country and US$75 million in Nigeria, and gave me documents to prove it.

First I need your address which is required for me to obtain travel permit (VISA); please note that I do not need any money from you as I am now potentially a millionaire…My father has 2 building properties in your Country worth over US$25 million which I have now inherited. If you help me to settle in your Country, you will be in a position to help me sell the 2 properties, and you will be entitled to at least 10% commission from the sale of the 2 properties.

I am waiting anxiously for your reply.

Sincerely,

Prince Monima
Abuja Nigeria
Email : princemonima@mail.ru

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam