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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "transferred into your bank account" (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)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: united payment office <uniof.003@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <uncontractcenter01@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 17:42:00 +0100
Subject: INTERNATIONAL FUNDS TRANSFER / AUDIT UNIT



WORLD BANK ASSISTED PROGRAMMEDIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONALPAYMENT AND TRANSFERS870 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA 20-ANEW YORK NY 10017WIRE TRANSFER/AUDIT UNIT.ATTN: BENEFICIARY.

UNITED NATIONS CONTRACT FUNDS REF:WB/NF/UN/XX027.

This is to acknowledge the receipt of your claim application as theimmediate contract payment from united nations your name was discoveredasnext on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not receivedtheir payments and we have verified the account number and it has beenconfirmed Ok today.
Following the resolution and settlement of the payment by the UnitedNations in conjunction with the world bank, an irrevocable instructionsand authorization has been given to us today to process and effect yourpayment valued at US$10.5M (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand UnitedStates Dollars only) due to you as the outstanding contractors withoutdelay.

However, please be officially informed that your settlement as theoutstanding contractor valued at US$10.5MUSD is under due processingand upon the approval of the payment we shall immediately transfer yourtotal funds into your designated account and it will be confirmed inyour account without any delay.
Therefore, be rest assured that we shall ensure that your fund istransferred into your bank account as soon as the processing andapprovals of the funds has been completed by us, then we shall effectthe transfer immediately without any delay.
Note that all the relevantremittance slip relating to this transfer will be sent to
you and your banker for the clearance of the funds with your bank.To this end, We are pleased to inform you that we are going to effectyour total payment through any of the following mode of payment below:

(1) SPECIAL CASH PAYMENT(2) SWIFT/TELEGRAPHIC WIRE TRANSFER(3) INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT

Dear, You are hereby advised to choose any of the above options thatsuit you to enable this reputable office finalize and effect yourpayment without any delay. Note that the funds will transfer in USDollars.Note that you must re-confirm the following information to me ofProbate for final authentication and approval of your Contract fund.

(1)Your full name.(2)Phone, fax and mobile #.(3) Company name, position and address.(4) Profession, age and marital status.(5) Copy of int'l passport or any scanned identity to prove you.(6) Home Equity {YES OR NO}.

Finally, as a matter of urgency you are advised to contact Rev. Dr.Roger Hedges International Audit unit, United Nations Liaison Office InWest Africa Abuja Nigeria, via e-mailL: uncontractcenter01@hotmail.comAct accordingly.

I will be waiting for your urgent and prompt response.

CONGRATULATIONS.CAPT. J.C.WILLIAMSU.N OFFICE LONDON UK.
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam