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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:

• 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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• 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.
  • +447006076097 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "DR. JOSEPH OHIA" <drjosephohia01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: doctor_josephohia010@myway.com
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 11:16:51 -0700
Subject: GOOD DAY / TREAT AS URGENT


>From HON Dr. Joseph Ohia.
Head, Banking Operations,
Pacific Int'l Bank Limited.
Plot 84/88, Ajose Adeogun Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria.




Good day,

Sequel to the secretive arrangement in regards of the shipment of your
consignment, I wish to inform you that all necessary modalities have been
automatically concluded and have today left Nigeria to London en-route to
your Country by Express Cargo Flight.

Note carefully that the content of the crate is "MONEY" but I did not
disclose it to the Courier Services as Money, rather I informed them that
the crate contain Vital "DIPLOMATIC DOCUMENTS" belonging to my client
(that's you).

Furthermore, the weight of the consignment is 220kg but I manage to pay
120kg, which cost US$75,600.00. On no account should you disclose the
content of the crate with the Diplomatic Courier Services for fear of
betrayal. So do not allow them to know that the content is money.

In the meantime, contact the Diplomatic Courier Services on Tel:
+447006076097 to know the actual situation with the consignment and also
give them your address where the consignment will be delivered and then get
back to me with your DIRECT TELEPHONE/MOBILE NUMBER as soon as possible so
that I can give you the shipment document.

Meanwhile, I will be coming over to your country immediately the consignment
arrives in your Country for my 60% while you take 40% share. Congrats and
remain blessed.

Best Regards,

Dr. Joseph Ohia

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam