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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:
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman" <usmanoffice3@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: dr.shamsudeenusmman@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 14:08:38 +0100
Subject: Hello Dear Respond Now!!!


Re: Long over due consignment on your name and favour.

Hello Dear

I am Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, Director of Operations Federal Ministry of
Finance Federal Government of Nigeria. We apologise, for the delay of your
payment and all the inconveniences and inflict that we might have indulged
you through. However, we were having some minor problems with our payment
system, which is inexplicable, and have held us stranded and indolent, not
having the aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting foreign
contract payments.

We apologise once again. I have been instructed by the Hon. Minister of
finance to find out before the end of this month, why your consignment
valued US$6.5 Million Dollars your contract part payment still unclaimed.
However, their are two gentlemen here who came from your country to claim
this consignments on your behalf and the reason giving to us is that you
are the one who sent them that you are terminal sick. In this regard, kindly
reconfirm these information to us for proper identification, and to know if
you are the one that sent them for the claim.

Below is the information that you are to reconfirm to my office immediately.

1) Your full name(s)
2) Your Home Phone Number and Your Cell phone numbers
3) Your address where your Two consignments will be Deliver to you.

Upon the proper identification, The Hon. Minister of Finance will
immediately sign the shipment approval and refer you to a mandated Courier
Firm who will be bringing the consignment to your doorstep in your country.
Our desire is to serving you better.

Waiting your urgent reply via return mail for immediate conclussion of your
payment through a Diplomatic Baggage to your House address.

Best Regards,
Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman.
Director of Operations
Federal Ministry Of Finance

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam