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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• 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)
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
  
• 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.
  • reginaldking_telex@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: telexoffice@zipmail.com.br
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 20:08:22 +0200
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?INTERNATIONAL=20TELEX=20DEPARTMENT?=

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
INTERNATIONAL TELEX DEPARTMENT
CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS.
TINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS.
OUR REF: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/04
CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009 )
A/C#: 32780612669g8
SWIFT CODE: BPH KPL PK.
TEL: +234-1-897-6253
Email: reginaldking_telex@hotmail.com

RE/ IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION /FINAL NOTICE.

We are pleased to inform you that your payment of US$17,000,000 Million
is next on the payment list for the year 2006. The Federal Ministry of Finance
has forwarded to the Telex Department of Central Bank of Nigeria successful
Contractors/Beneficiaries whose contracts are completed and now due for
payment.
>From the records of outstanding Contractors/Beneficiaries due for payment
with the Federal Government of Nigeria, your name and company was discovered
as next on the list of the outstanding Contractors/Beneficiaries who have
not been paid.

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
the record in my file, your outstanding contract payment is US$17,000,000
Millions, (Seventeen Million United States Dollars only) Please re-confirm
to me if this is inline with your record and also re-confirm to me the followings.

1) Your Full Name.
2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #.
3) Company Name, (if any) Position And Address.
4) Bank Details
5) Profession, Age and Marital Status.

6) Copy Of your Int'l Passport/Driving license The payment will be effected
as soon as these information are Received and your payment will be made
to you in a CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT/BANK TO BANK TRANSFER. A copy will be sent
to you for you to take to your Bank and confirm it, otherwise, a bank-to-bank
transaction shall be used to remit the sum directly from the Central Bank
into your nominated Bank Account, depending on the method you choose to
receive Your payment.

You are advised to get back to me immediately on reginaldking_telex@hotmail.com

Thanks for your co-operation.

Congratulations!
Best Regards.

Yours Sincerely
Dr. Reginald King
Executive Director.
Central Bank of Nigeria.
Telex Department

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam