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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (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)
  • "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.
  • +2348027709640 (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.
  • prof_charlesludu007@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "cbn_departmentoffice" <cbn_departmentoffice@terra.com.mx>
Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2006 08:30:46 -0600
Subject: YOUR CONTRACT PAYMENT IS READY...



CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND
LAGOS NIGERIA
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE,LAGOS
TEL:+234-802-770-9640
E-mail: prof_charlesludu007@yahoo.com

Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CGX/NNPC/030/06

FROM THE DESK OF PROFESSOR CHARLES C. SOLUDO
GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
During the auditing and closing of all financial records of the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN) it was discovered from the records of outstanding Foreign contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria in the year 2006 that your name and company is next on the list of Those who will receive their fund.

I wish to officially notify 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 our file, your outstanding contract payment is US D$9.000,000.00(Nine Million United States Dollars). Kindly re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your Record and also re-confirm the information below to enable this office Proceed and finalize your fund remittance without further delays.

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Scaned Copy of Drivers License I .D.

As soon as the above information are received, your payment will be
Made available to you via an international certified bank draft, which Will be delivered to your doorstep for your confirmation. You should call my direct number as soon as you receive this letter for further Discussion and more clarification.

YOURS SINCERELY,


PROF. CHARLES C. SOLUDO
GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
DIRECT LINE: +234-802-770-9640
E-mail: prof_charlesludu007@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam