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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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)
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: "Soludo Chukwuma" <p.c.solu3@mailbox.hu>
Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 22:03:58 +0100
Subject: APOLOGIES/PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR FUNDS


CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,
>From the Desk Of:Prof Chukwuma C. Soludo
Executive Governor (CBN)
Our Ref: CBN/OHG/OXD1/2008
Your Ref:................
TELEX: CENBANK.
PAYMENT FILE: CBN/BEN/08


Dear Sir/Madam,

APOLOGIES/PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR FUNDS

Be informed that your cries and petitions over the way the Nigerian
Officials and impostors have been maltreating you by delaying your funds
thereby making things difficult for you, family and company have reached his
excellency Umar Yar' Adua GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and
he has promised that all contractors/beneficiaries whose payment has loong
been overdue are paid during his tenure. Definitely, I know that this letter
will be a surprising one to you.Firstly, I will like to introduce myself
formally as Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, The Executive Governor of The Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN).You are been officially contacted by me today because
your Inheritance Funds were Re-depositted into the "Federal Suspense
Account" of CBN last week, because you did not forward your Claim as the
Right beneficiary. Well known to all, The Central Bank of Nigeria is the
APEX Bank of all commercial Banks here in Nigeria.

Really these men were unexpected by me because their visit was impromptu. I
had to ask them why they came to see me in person and they said that they
were here to Collect the Inheritance Bill Sum of (US$10.500,000) which
rightfully belongs to you, on your behalf. At this development I asked them
who authorized them to come down to Nigeria for the Collection of this
Payment and they told me that you asked them to come and collect this Funds
on your Behalf. Infact this was the biggest shock that this Bank have ever
received so far because your Inheritance Funds is still in the "Federal
Suspense Account" of CBN,yet you sent these men to come and collect this
Funds on your behalf without notifying us. We in this Bank do not understand
why you sent these men to come and Collect your Funds on your behalf. If
actually you want them to help you Collect your Inheritance Bill Sum, at
least you should have informed me as the Executive Governor of this Bank.
They actually tendered some Vital Documents which Proved that you actually
sent them for the Collection of this Funds. Honestly, it really baffles me
that you took such decision without my consent.

Here are the Documents which they tendered to this Bank today:

1. LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION.
2. HIGH COURT INJUCTION.
3. ORDER TO RELEASE.

Actually, these Documents which they tendered to this Noble Bank is a clear
Proof that you sent them to Collect this Funds for you. Finally, I told them
to come back tommorrow morning and they promised to come back. As the
Governor of this Noble Bank, I was supposed to Release this Funds to them
but I refused to do so because I wanted to hear from you first. Due to the
Nature of my job, I will not want to make any mistake in Releasing this
Funds to anyone except you whom is the Recognised Bonafide Beneficiary of
this Funds. Kindly clarify us on this issue before we make this Payment to
these foreigners whom came on your behalf.On receipt of this confidential
Letter and your fund


YOURS SINCERELY,

PROFESSOR CHUKWUMA SOLUDO
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam