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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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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:
  • "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.
  • +2348084051009 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Obi omega" <drobi.omega@klikni.cz>
Reply-To: obij50@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 19:19:16 -0700
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL COURIER PAYMENT


FROM THE DESK OF
Dr Obi O Ernest,
Director C .B .N
TELE: +234-808-405-1009

CONFIDENTIAL COURIER PAYMENT
ATTN: Sir /Madam,

I am Dr Obi Ernest, 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 via 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 Governor 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 I 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, and
Note:The Agent 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 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 has soon as it
delivered to you. This clearance will make it pass every custom
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
to airlift as soon as we hear from you.
Call me immediately you receive this message.
Best Regards,

Dr Obi O. Ernest
Director,Central Bank of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam