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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:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "charles soludo" (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)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "PROF. CHARLES SOLUDO" <sc_soludo_govs@msn.com>
Reply-To: sc_soludo_govs@yahoo.com.sg
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 15:43:27 +0000
Subject: ATTN: HONURABLE CONTRACTOR ,

                                                                    

 

  CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,

     LAGOS-NIGERIA  

                          

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PROF,CHARLES C.SOLUDO.
GOVERNOR CENTRAL ABUJA
NIGERIA.

 

ATTN: HONURABLE CONTRACTOR ,

YOUR IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT!!!
PAYMENT.CONTRACT#:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/008.
Our Ref: PYT-PED/FGN/NNPC-1024.

I Wish to inform you that I have received unconditional instruction from the presidency federal republic of Nigeria to release part payment of $10,000,000.00 USD(Ten million united states dollars).into your nominated bank account.

Your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments. Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment was not $7USD but the Government decided to compensated few foreigners base on the promise our president gave to the united nation on anti-corruption. This is a huge sum which can it be broken down into smaller blocks? Please re-confirm to me if this is inline 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 name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.

As soon as this informations 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.

What about bank to bank transfer? Just today on our local news a business person was given bogus bank draft from Nigeria,$23,000,00 from Hunt Oil Nigeria and ended up with over $1300.00 in bank handling fees. I want to avoid this.You must call me on my direct number as soon as you receive this letter for a serious discussion with me and also get back to me at once through mail.

 

CONGRATULATIONS,

Yours sincerly,

Prof Charles Soludo

GOVERNOR OF CENTRAL BANK OF
NIGERIA.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam