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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:
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "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.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • prof_james@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "CHARLES SOLUDO" <contract_payment1952@msn.com>
Reply-To: prof_james@myway.com
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 19:36:16 +0000
Subject: CONTRACT PAYMENT,

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA             TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,LAGOS-NIGERIA   REF:CONTRACT NO:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009 Date:16/02/2006                                       IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT By the Federal Government of Nigeria determined interest to off set all Foreign Contract Payment worth of (5 Million USD) and In accordance with the New Law of payment policy, as amended to expedite the immediate settlement of all outstanding  debt by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We obliged to inform you that  from the records of outstanding contracts 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 received their payments. We also 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 our record , your outstanding contract payment is US$3million USD, (Three Million United States Dollars only) Please re-confirm to me if this is in tune 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. Identification 6. Account details where you wish your money transferred As soon as this information are received, your payment will be made to you on or before ten (10) working days to which ever mode you desire (ie) Certified Bank Draft, T. T or any form of payment you desire. Confirm this E-mail urgently as we have been mandated to pay you in one month time. your prompt response to this message is highly appreciated. Best Regards,   Prof James mahed. Executive Governor, Central  Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) EMAIL: prof_james@myway.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam