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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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 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: "James Martins" <jamesmartin00333313@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jamesmartins004@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:57:05 -0700
Subject: LET,S WORK TOGETHER


OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER
AND FINANCIAL MATTERS TO THE PRESIDENT

Attn: Sir/Madam,

I am Major General J. Martins (Rtd) the special Adviser to the President
Federal 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 theworld
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 James Martins (Rtd)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam