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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)
  • "necessary legal documents" (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. )
  • "huge deposit" (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 united states 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • +2348030660386 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "samuel udo" <samueludo12@gmail.com>
Reply-To: sa_uu1@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 17:20:17 -1200
Subject: Attn ..........Please


>From the Desk of MR SAMUEL UDO.
DEPUTY DIVISIONAL HEAD BANK OF Nigeria.
ICON HOUSE,Nigeria.
tele +234 8030660386

Attn ..........Please

I am very glad I have found you, how is your family today I would like you
to listen
to what I have to say to you I am SAMUEL UDO, the personal accountant to Dr.
Williams , a national of your country,possibly could be your brother, who
used to work with ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS CO. LTD Nigeria. On the 21st of April
2006, Dr. Williams , his wife and their two Children were involved in a
motor accident along shagamu EXPRESS WAY.Unfortunately, Dr.Williams and his
family lost theirlives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your
embassy here in Nigeria to locate any of Williams's extended

relatives. This has also proved unsuccessful.After these several
unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet,
to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted
you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by Dr.
Williams

before they get confiscated, frozen or declared unserviceable by the bank
where these huge deposits were lodged.Particularly, the BANK OF Nigeria
where the deceased had an account valued at about Twenty Seven Million
United States Dollars (US$27,000,000:00). The management has issued me a
notice to provide the next of kin or have the account frozen within the next
ten official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the
relatives for over 1 year now I seek your consent to present you as the next
of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the
proceeds of this account valued at $27,000,000:00 can be paid to you and
then you and me can share the money.
60% to me and 30% to you and 10% for expenses for both parties .

I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any
claim we may make. And this I must do to make sure that this fund is not
wasted or end up in the wrong hands. All I require is your honest
co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will
be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any
breach of the law. Note that you are to furnishing me with the requested

information's bellow immediately;

(1)Full names.
(2)Contact address.
(3)Telephone and fax numbers.
(4)Location.

Awaiting your urgent response
SAMUEL UDO.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam