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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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)
  • "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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "charles soludo" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "charles c. soludo" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • cbnbankinfo@gawab.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: PROF CHARLES SOLUDO <charless40@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <prof_charles_soludo338@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2007 16:24:33 +0100
Subject: IMMEDIATE CASH PAYMENT



Prof Charles SoludoIMMEDIATE CASH PAYMENT REF: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/06 Office line. +234-17690464 Email. cbnbankinfo@gawab.com[OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR]

IMMEDIATE PAYMENT NOTIFICATION AV/CONT/NNPC/FGN/MIN/000

ATTN : HONOURABLE BENEFICIARY

Our records of outstanding contractors due for payment, with the federal government of Nigeria, Your name was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments. I am prof.charles c.soludo, The executive governor central Bank Of Nigeria(CBN) Firstly, I plead on behalf of my country and the Central Bank of Nigeria for not contacting you all this while as regards your contract payment, which I know by now, must have cost you some inconviniences, I am promising You on behalf of the central bank of Nigeria that this will not repeat itself any more.
I want you to know that your payment is valid and maintained with us here. I have ensured that you receive your fund through an international certified bank draft OR through Diplomatic Courier Service, acceptable and payable to you. I advice you to co-operate with me and listen to my advice as the Central Bank of Nigeria (cbn) will not be held responsible for any lapses or mis-direction of your fund due to your inability to co-operate with me who is in-charge as the new elected executive governor of the central bank of Nigeria (CBN).

I can not vividly explain how this payment was generated / occured to you, but i was informed before I resumed my humble office in the month of may 2004 that a contract with the federal government was executed in your favor by a foreign contractor, who at the point of execution did not receive his payments. Coupled with the fact that the computer departments of the central bank was burnt down some months ago before I resumed this humble office, and all available informations as regards your informations that was dropped by the foreign contractor was missing as well.
when we were able to trace burnt files we were only left with your email address which I can not see clearly. When this payment notification was forwarded to my humble office, I decided to contact you for immediate payment in an international certified bank draft, OR through Diplomatic Courier Service to your Door step..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 $10 million united states dollars only (Ten million united states dollars only). Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings I want you to send your information to me immediately and call me +234-17690464Your Full Name: ______________________________ Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code notP.O.BOX) : ______________________________ Name of City of Residence:_______________________________Country:____________________________________Working Identity Card/Passport Age/Marrital Statue___________________Direct Telephone Number:_______________________________Mobile Number:________________________Fax#___________________________________Occupation:________________________________As soon as this informations are received, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft OR through Diplomatic Courier Service to your Door step..You must get back to me immediately as soon as you go through this mail .CONGRATULATIONS.Prof. Charles C. Soludo. Executive governor, Central bank of Nigeria (cbn).
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam