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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your payment is being processed" (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)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • +2348037365385 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
  • +23412905016 (Nigeria, landline)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Paul Obi" <obi_paul53@msn.com>
Reply-To: obi_paul53@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 09:05:43 +0000
Subject: Please Get back to us.

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS
GARKI, ABUJA-NIGERIA.
Tall : 234-803-7365385
Fax :234-1-2905016
DATE: 16/02/ 2006

OFFICE OF THE FOREIGN CONTRACTORS PAYMENTS
OUR REF: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/06


Dear Sir/Madam,


IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/0019.

>From the records of outstanding contractors due for Payment with the
Federal Government of Nigeria, your Name and company was discovered as next
on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not yet received their
payments.

I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be
released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also be advised
that because of two many contractors that I have to pay at this fist
quarter of the year, you will only receive the sum of US$20, 000,000,
(Twenty Million United States Dollars Only), So that I will be able to
pay other contractors, but my promise is that I will make sure that you
receive your balance later.

Kindly re-confirm to me the followings information:
1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name and address.
4) Profession, age and marital staus.

Upon the reconfirmation of the above information , your payment will
be made to you in a certified bank draft or wired to your nominated
bank account directly from Central Bank of Nigeria. Email me as soon as you
received this mail,for further details.

Regards,

Mr Paul Obi.
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
THE FOREIGN CONTRACTORS PAYMENTS.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam