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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Mrs. Alfred Mary," (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cbnlegaladviserdesk@consultant.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:49:08 -0800
Subject: FOREIGN PAYMENT INVESTIGATING UNIT.

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE LAGOS
 
From the Desk Of:
Barr. Mrs. Alfred Mary,
LEGAL ADVISER (CBN)
 
ATTENTION:
 
PAYMENT INVESTIGATING UNIT.
 
From the records of outstanding payment with the Federal Government of
Nigeria, your name was discovered as next on the list of The outstanding
beneficiaries who have not 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 note that from
my record in my file your outstanding payment is US$10.5, (Ten Million
Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only) Please re-confirm to me
if this is Online with what you have in your record and also re-confirm
to me the followings.
 
1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) company\'s name,position and address.
4) profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of int\'l passport or any scanned identity to prove yourself.
 
As soon as this information\'s are received, your payment will be made to
you in a certified bank draft from central bank of Nigeria and a copy will
be given to you for you to take to your bank and confirm it,
 
YOU ARE ADVISE TO CONTACT Barr. Mrs. Alfred Mary TELEX DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL
BANK OF NIGERIA SHE IS IN CHARGE OF THE BENEFICIARIES FUNDS: Tel: +234
803-287-8858.
 
THIS WILL ENABLE THIS OFFICE TO EFFECT YOUR PAYMENT.
 
YOURS SINCERELY,
Barr. Mrs. Alfred Mary,
LEGAL ADVISER TO CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)

Anti-fraud resources: