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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
• Support our efforts to stop scams!
  
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (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. )
  • "hundred thousand us 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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• 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.
  • @yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "ATM PAYMENT OFFICE" <atmoff009@mailbox.hu>
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 14:58:20 +0100
Subject: GET BACK TO ME ASAP


*I AM BARRISTER PATRICK SMITH, THE PRINCIPAL ATTORNEY TO ENGR TOM COMPOS.

THE DIRECTOR, PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION WITH THE NIGERIAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION
BASED IN WARRI, DELTA STATE.

IN NOVEMBER 2006 MY CLIENT (ENGR COMPOS) RECEIVED GRATIFICATION OF FIFTEEN
MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS (USD 15,500,000) FROM
THE CONTRACT AWARDED TO FOREIGN FIRMS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
OF (USD 250 MILLION) (LPG) GAS PLANT AT WARRI REFINERY.

HENCE, THE FUND IS UNDER THE CUSTODY OF A SECURITY COMPANY FOR SAFE KEEPING,
I HAVE BEEN MANDATED BY MY CLIENTS (ENGR. TOMSON COMPOS) TO
SEEK ASSISTANCE OF A TRUST WORTHY FOREIGN COMPANY OR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO COULD
HELP TO PROVIDE A BANK ACCOUNT FOR INVESTMENT WITHOUT HITCH.

HOWEVER, MY CLIENT HAS AGREED TO WILL 30% OF THE TOTAL SUM TO YOU WHILE IS
5% FOR EXPENSES. THEREFORE, IF THIS OFFER IS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU,

CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY THROUGH MY E-MAIL (barrismith04_chamber @yahoo.com)
FOR FURTHER BRIEFING.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON.

YOURS FAITHFULLY,

BARRISTER PATRICK SMITH. (SAN)
*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam