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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• 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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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. )
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "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. )
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Richard Smith" <asmithrich01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: richardsmith@post.ro
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 10:01:42 +0100
Subject: LET'S WORK TOGETHER


*Attn: Sir/Madam,*


*I am Major General J. Smith (Rtd) the special Adviser to the
PresidentFederal Republic of Nigeria on financial/contract matters, am
delighted to inform you that the contract panel, which just concluded it is
seating in Abuja just released your name amongst contractors to benefit from
the Diplomatic Immunity Payment. This Panel was primarily delegated to
investigate manipulated contract claims contracts and over-invoiced payment
as the effect has eaten deep into the economy of our dear country.*

*However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract profile is
still reflecting in our central computer as unpaid contractor while
auditing was going on. Your contract file was forwarded to my office bythe
auditors as unclaimed fund, we wish to use this medium to inform you that
for the time being Federal Government of Nigeria have stopped further
payment through bank to bank transfer due to contractors numerous petitions
to United Nations against Nigeria on wrong payment and diversion of contract
funds to different account.In this regards we are going to send your
contract part payment of $10.5 Million USD. to you via courier service and I
have secured every needed documents 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. This fund was brought to us from America, It
was meant for our Local AFEM market.*

*But since the money was not used, i will use my position as the
National Security Adviser to the President to send this fund to you.
Please you don't have to worry for any thing, as the transaction is
100% risk free. The boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will
accompany the boxes to your house address. All you need to do now is to send
to me your full house address and your identity such as, international
passport or drivers license including your contact phone numbers,The
Diplomatic attachés will travel with it. He will call you immediately he
arrives your country's airport. I hope you understand me. *

*Note: The diplomat does not know the original contents of the boxes.
What l 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. Please email me
today.and i will let you know how far i have gone with the arrangement.
I will secure the Diplomatic immunity clearance certificate that will be
tagged on the boxes to make it stand as a diplomatic consignment. 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 urgent reply because the boxes are schedule to live as
soon as we hear from you *

*Best Regard
Major General JOHN SMITH (Rtd)*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam