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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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• 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.

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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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "ali moses" <alimoses_8@unimail.mn>
Reply-To: alimoses_111@voila.fr
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:17:13 +0100
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT NOTIFICATION


FROM THE DESK OF
Enrg Ali Moses,
Director C .B .N


CONFIDENTIAL COURIER PAYMENT

Attn: Sir /Madam,

I am Enrg Ali Moses, Director CBN I decided to contact you because of the
prevailing security report reaching my office and the intense nature of
politics in Nigeria.This is to inform you about our plan to send your fund
to you via cash Delivery, this sys tem 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 dispa tch along with the security inner Keys of the
consignments to enable you access these consignments has soon as it
delivered to you This will make it pass every custom checkpoint all over the
world without hitch.Confirm the receipt of this messa ge and send the
requirements to me Immediately you receive this message.

Please I need your urgent reply to alimoses_111@voila.fr because the boxes
are schedule to airlift as soon as we hear from you.

Enrg Moses Ali,
Director,Central Bank of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam