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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:
  • "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)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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: chassoludo@aim.com
Date: Fri, 09 Jun 2006 08:06:57 -0400
Subject: payment is ready



CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

OUR REF: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/05

Attn:Contractor

Strictly for release of payment to you and it is negociable.
>From the records of outstanding contract with me and the wife of the president Mrs Stella Obasanjo will be release soon and I am willing to front you as the owner if you can send to me all your contact details.
I have the power to front your name for payment if you can stand for it. Your name and company can be fix as the next of kin, true bonafide owner of contracts executed in Nigeria.
I wish to inform you that your payment will be processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to my office confidently.
Also note that from the record in my file, outstanding contract payment is $25Million United States Dollars.
Please send me these followings:
1) Your full name.
2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #.
3) Company name, Position and Address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) A copy of any kind of passport identification.
As soon as this information are received, the payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft or wired to your bank account.
Awaiting your reply to my private email:
charlesssoludo@halejob.com

PROFESSOR CHARLES C. SOLUDO
+234-1-4723393
________________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam