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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "INFO @ CENTRAL OFFICE" <centralbank_office13@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: benwillson4@myway.com
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2005 11:06:48 -0700
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT.

          CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIArn_
            TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,LAGOS-NIGERIA
                 
      

                                         FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
                                               CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
                                                 TINUBU SQUARE LAGOS
From the Desk Of:
Prof Charles Soludo
Executive Governor (CBN)

Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/05
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT.

During the auditing and closing of all financial records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) it was discovered from the records of outstanding foreign contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria in the year 2005 that your name and company is next on the list of those who will received their fund. I wish to officially notify 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 the record in our file, your outstanding contract payment is USD$35,700.000.00 (Thirty-five Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).
 
Kindly re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your records and also re-confirm the information below to enable this office proceed and finalize your fund remittance without further delays.

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) A scanned copy of your int'l p/port/Drivers license for identification.

As soon as the above information are received, your payment will be made available to you via an international certified bank draft, which will be delivered to your doorstep for your confirmation. You should call my direct number as soon as you receive this letter for further discussion and more clarification. 
 

YOURS SINCERELY,

 

PROFESSOR CHARLES C. SOLUDO,
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).

Anti-fraud resources: