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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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• What can you do when you receive 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)
  • "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. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • +2348075740634 (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.
  • drbethobi@yahoo.de (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
  • 3adrbethobi@yahoo.de

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Beth" <infimail3@gmail.com>
Reply-To: obidrbeth@yahoo.de
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 22:47:45 -0700
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL COURIER PAYMENT


From The Desk Of
Dr. Beth Obi
Director C .B .N
Tel: 234 8075740634


CONFIDENTIAL COURIER PAYMENT

Attn: Sir /Madam,

I am Dr Beth Obi, Director CBN I decided to contact you because of the
prevailing security report reaching 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 to
send your contract part payment of US$15.3 Million to you viacourier
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 of CBN to release this fund to You.The boxes are coming with a
Courier 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 address
2. Your identity such as, international passport or driver's license
3. Your contact phone numbers.

The Courier Agents 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.

Note:The Agent does not know the original contents of the boxes.

What declared to them as the contents is Sensitive Photographic
FilmMaterial. 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 withThe
arrangement. I will secure the clearance Certificate that will be tagged on
the boxes which I will dispatch along with the security inner Keys of the
consignments to enable you access these consignments as 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 on my private
emailaddress:drbethobi@yahoo.de <emailaddress%3Adrbethobi@yahoo.de>

Please I need your urgent reply because the boxes are schedule to airlift as
soon as we hear from you.Call me immediately you receive this message.

Best Regards,

Dr Beth Obi,
Director,Central Bank of Nigeria
+2348075740634

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam