419 scam: "The Organization Of The Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec)" <info@opec.org> 2009 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- customers_relations_unit@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "The Organization Of The Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec)" <info@opec.org>
Reply-To: customers_relations_unit@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:30:25 +0300
Subject: 2009 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

Attn: The Secretary General! Abdalla Salem El-Badri:Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) Fund For International Development.

We Are Happy To Inform You That Your Email Address Has Made You One Of The
World Ten (10) Beneficiary Of The Sum Of Five Hundred Thousand Great
Britain Pound Sterlings (£500,000.00). Opec Fund For International
Development (Ofid) Collects E-Mails Of People That Are Active On The
Global Internet And Selected Only Ten All Over The Continent Every Year
Through Electronic Balloting System Without Peoples Application Or Media
Advertisement.

You Have To Contact The FedEx International Courier Service Manager With
Your Draft Identification Code: (Opec/Ofid/09788) For Proof Of Ownership
Not Less Than 3-Working Days For The Authorization And Prompt Delivery Of
Your Draft.
****************************************************************************************************************
Personal_information:Name:...Telephone:,,,,,,,Age:,,,,,Occupation:,,,,,
Address:,,,,,Sex:,,,,,,,,,Country:,,,,,,,,,,,Nationality,,,,,
****************************************************************************************************************
Contact Person: Dr. Ruwanu Lukman
FedEx International Courier Service,customers_relations_unit@yahoo.com.hk,
Tel: {+234}-805-786-1452
****************************************************************************************************************
Do Accept Our Hearty Congratulations: OPEC Secretary General: Abdalla
Salem El-Badri
****************************************************************************************************************
© 2009 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam