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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• 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 - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. )
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: dr mike obi <drmike44411@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <drmike_obi9999@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:48:23 +0100
Subject: DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY PAYMENT C .B .N



FROM THE DESK OFDR MIKE OBI,Director International Telex Department C .B .N

CONFIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY PAYMENT

ATTN: Sir /Ma,

I am DR MIKE OBI, the Director International Telex Department c.b.n.I decided to contact you because of the prevailing security reportreaching my office and the intense nature of polity in Nigeria. This is to inform you about our plan to send your fund to you via cash Delivery, this system will be easier for you and for us. We are going tosend your contract part payment of US$15.3. Million to you via Diplomatic courier service. I have secured every needed document to cover the money. Note: The Money is coming on 2 security proof boxes, the boxes are sealed with Synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine. I will use my position as The Director International Telex Department c.b.n to release this fundto You.The boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will accompany the Boxes to your house address.All you need to do now is to send to me:

1. Your full house address2. Your identity such as, international passport or driver's license3. Your contact phone numbers,

The Diplomatic attached will travel with this required information's For the delivery of your fund. He will call you immediately he arrives Your country's airport. I hope you understand me.I will let you know when these consignments will be lifted, and Note: The diplomatic does not know the original contents of the boxes.
What declared 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 ok.Call me immediately and I will let you know how far I have gone with The arrangement. I will secure the Diplomatic immunity clearance Certificate that will be tagged on the boxes to make it stand as adiplomatic consignment, which I will dispatch along with the securityinner Keys of the consignments to enable you access these consignmentshas soon as it delivered to you. This clearance will make it pass everycustom checkpoint all over the world without hitch.
Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements to me Immediately you receive this message.
Please I need your urgent reply because the boxes are schedule toairlift as soon as we hear from you.

Best Regards,
DR MIKE OBI,

The Director International Telex Department Central Bank of Nigeria.Federal Republic of Nigeria
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam