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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:

• 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:
  • "hundred thousand 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)
  • "contract award committee" (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.
  • +2348087437331 (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.
  • nnpcal@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "A.L YARADUA" <nnpcal@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:04:29 +0200
Subject: Private Investment


ATTENTION

I am the Chairman of the Contract award committee, Federal Ministry of Petroleum
resources, Nigeria. I am in search of an agent to assist us in the transfer of
Seventeen Million, Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars and subsequent
investment in your country. You will be required to :
[1]. Assist in the Transfer of the said Sum
[2]. Advice on Lucrative areas of Investment
[3]. Assist us in purchase of Lucrative Investment.
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, you will be compensated
with 20% of the total sum.
Please reply to Indicate your Willingness in Assisting us with this email address
nnpcal@yahoo.com indicating if you can assist, so that I will give you full
details about this project, please do include your direct Telephone and Fax numbers
for easier communication.

Thanks for your Anticipated Assistance.

Yours Sincerely,
Engr. A.L. YARADUA
TEL: +234-8087437331
WEBSIT: http://www.nnpcgroup.com/management.htm

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam