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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
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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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)
  • "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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348020597678 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • solo_proff@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: solo charles <solo_proff@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 03:37:00 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION.


CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,
LAGOS-NIGERIA
(OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)
TEL: +234-234-80-2059-7678.
E-MAIL: (solo_proff@yahoo.com)
CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009,
SWIFT CODE: BPH KPL PK,
A/C#: 327806126698


CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION.

Dear Sir,

Compliments. We are pleased to inform that your payment is next on the payment list for the year 2006. The Federal Ministry of Finance has forwarded to Central Bank of Nigeria successful people who have completed their contracts and now due for payment.

It will interest you to note that your file has been selected as next on payment list of our numerous outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria. Your name was discovered as Next on the list of the outstanding
Contractors whose contract payments have not been redeemed.

I also wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will
be released to you through the Foreign Remittance Department of this apex bank as soon as you respond to this letter.

Please 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

Payment Procedure:

The payment will effect immediately as soon as these information are received, your payment will be made to you in a CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT and A copy will be given to you for you to take to your Bank and confirm it Or wired to your bank account directly from Central Bank of Nigeria, Whichever way you choose to receive Your payment.

Finally, you are advised to get back to me immediately

Congratulations!

Best Regards.

Prof. Charles C. Soludo.
Executive Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Tel: +234-80-2059-7678.
PROFESSOR CHARLES C. SOLUDO,
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam