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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:
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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)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "million 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)
  • "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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (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.
  
• 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.
  • +2348088773393 (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.
  • dlemo9@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Tunde Lemo" <dlemo12@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <dlemo9@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:07:43 +0100
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT VIA HSBC BANK DRAFT



FROM THE DESK OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNORCENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)OFFICE ADDRESS: TINUDU SQUARE, LAGOS POSTAL ADDRESS: P.M.B. 12194, LAGOS. DR.TUNDE LEMO.TELEPHONE/FAX: +234-808-8773393Private Email:dlemo9@hotmail.com ATTN: SUBJECT: YOUR IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT OF $3.5 MILLION DOLLARS#: The Federal Republic of Nigeria Government determined interest to off set all overdue Foreign Contract Payment worth of (5 Billion USD), In accordance with the New Law of payment policy, as amended to expedite the immediate settlement of all outstanding debt owed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore I am obliged to inform you that from the records of outstanding contracts due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria, your name and company was discovered as next on the list of The outstanding contractor who have not received their payments. I also wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is $3.5 million dollars (Three million Five hundred thousand United States dollars) Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings. 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 valid working identity............... As soon as this information are received, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft from the HSBC BANK and a copy will be given to you for you to take to your bank and confirm it, And get back to me via telephone number +234-808-8773393 Waiting for your urgent response and sorry for getting back to you late.Wishing you success in the year 2007. Regards, Dr. Tunde Lemo.Deputy Governor, Central Bank Of Nigeria (C.B.N).Office Address: Tinubu Square, Lagos Postal Address: P.M.B. 12194, Lagos.TELEPHONE/FAX: +234-808-8773393Private Email: dlemo9@hotmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam