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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "charles soludo" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "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: "Prof. Charles Solodu" <cbnpayment3@msn.com>
Reply-To: draftpayment@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 08:12:17 +0000
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR

FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA(CBN)
PROF.CHARLES SOLUDO
Tell: 234 1 4769257



ATTN: OUR HONORABLE CONTRACTOR.

YOUR IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT
CONTRACT#:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009.

Our records of outstanding contractors 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.

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 contract payment is $25.
million dollars . Twenty Five Million Dollars.

P lease re-confirm to me if this is inline with what
you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the
following:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.

Your can still be used to claim this fund if you are interested to help me.
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.

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.

CONGRATULATIONS.

Regards,

PROF CHARLES SOLUDO.
Executive Governor, Central Bank Of Nigeria.(C.B.N)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam