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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

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:

Fraud email example:

From: "charles " <charles_4050@rediffmail.com>
Date: 26 Jan 2007 00:10:01 -0000
Subject:


ATTENTION:&nbsp;IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT.CONTRACT &nbsp;From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the federalgovernment of Nigeria your name and company was discovered as next on thelist of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments.
I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be releasedto you as soon as you respond to this letter.Also note that from my recordin my file your outstanding contract payment is $12.7 million dollars(twelve&nbsp;million seven hundred thousand&nbsp; united states dollars).Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your recordand also re-confirm to me the followings:&nbsp;1) Your full name.2) Phone, fax and mobile #.3) company name,position and address.4)profession, age and marital status.&nbsp;As soon as this informations are received, your payment will be made toyou in a certified bank draft from central bank of Nigeria and a copy willbe 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 letterfor a serious discussion with me and also get back to me on this e-mail(charles_4050@yahoo.com)&nbsp;Regards,&nbsp;PROF CHARLES SOLUDO.Executive Governor,Central Bank Of Ni!
geria.
SEND ALL FUTURE CORRESPONDENT TO THIS EMAIL charles_4050@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources: