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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:
  • "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)
  • "million 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)
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "international 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)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA <cbbn@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <payoffice_cbn_ng@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2007 22:57:58 -0400
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT / NO:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009




CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR) DATE: 09/07/2007.Our Ref:NLAG/FGN/CBN/B2402/07 THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNORINTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENTCORPORATE HEAD QUARTERSTINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS. ATTN:Honorable Contractor.IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT / NO:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009 From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria, your name/company was discovered as next on the list of the Outstanding Contractors who have not received their payments. 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 my record in my file your Outstanding Contract Payment is US$12,500,000.00 million dollars (Twelve million, five hundred thousand united state dollars) only, with the contract # of NLAG/FGN/FMF/CBN/B2517/99. Kindly reconfirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also reconfirm to me the following: 1. Your full name and address.2. Any of your bank name and address where you want your fund to be telegraphically wired to.3. Your phone and fax number, so that you can be reached for serious/merit discussions.4. A computer scan copy of your Int'l passport or any scanned identity for your identification. As soon as these information’s are received, your payment will be made to you in a Certified Bank Draft telegraphically wired to your bank account directly from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a copy will be given to you which you will take to your bank for confirmation. As a result of the on-going drive of the Federal Government to update its books and clear payment to all beneficiaries/contractors, I strongly recommend that you promptly respond to this immediate contract payment notification and if you are receiving this message on error, do humbly get back to me immediately.Thanks.Dr.Amos DavidPersonal Assistant to Executive Governor.Central Bank of Nig.(CBN)234-8076658816
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam