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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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <greatdrernestokon@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:12:06 +0000
Subject: YOUR OVER DUE PAYMENT.




Dear Sir
Re: long over due consignment on your name and favour.
I am Dr. Ernest Okon, Director of Operations Federal Ministry ofFinanceFederal Government of Nigeria. We apologize, for the delay of your payment and all the inconveniencesand inflict that we might have indulged you through. However, we were having some minor problems with our payment system,which is inexplicable, and have held us stranded and indolent, not havingthe aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting foreigncontract payments. We apologize once again. I have been instructed by the Hon. Minister of finance to find outbefore the end of this month, why your consignment valued US$12.5 MillionDollars your contract part payment still unclaimed. However, theirare two gentlemen here who came from your country to claim thisconsignments on your behalf and the reason giving to us is that you are theone who sent them that you are terminal sick. In this regard, kindly reconfirm this information to us for properidentification, and to know if you are the one that sent them for theclaim. Below is the information that you are to reconfirm to my officeimmediately.1) Your full name(s) and identification2) Your Home Phone Number and Your Cell phone numbers3) Your address where your consignments will be Deliver to you.

Upon the proper identification, The Hon. Minister of Finance will immediately sign the shipment approval and refer you to a mandated Courier Firm who will be bringing the consignment to your doorstep in your country. Our desire is to serving you better. Waiting for your urgent reply via return mail for immediate conclusionof your payment through a Diplomatic transfer to you.Best Regards,Dr Ernest Okon.Director of OperationsFederal Ministry Of Finance.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam