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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.

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:
  • "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)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "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)
  • "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.
  
• 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.
  • charless4568@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: "Prof Charles C Soludo" <prchsolu10@mailqatar.com>
Reply-To: <charless4568@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 09 Feb 2008 06:14:21 +0300
Subject: Reply

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

TINUBU SQUARE, VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS-NIGERIA

[OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR]

CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009,
Swift Code: BPH KPL PK,
A/C#: 329606=101244=169=678
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL BANK NIGERIA
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/04
Reply to: charless4568@yahoo.com
Date: 8th FEB 2008

IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009

Honorable Beneficiary,

Once again I appreciate your email and the swift response in regards to your Contract Payments of us$10 million dollars forwarded to my humble office from the Federal Government of Nigeria Revenue Office for immediate payment. I am Prof.Charles C.Soludo. The Executive Governor Central Bank Of Nigeria.

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 payments which I know by now must have cost you some insolvencies, I am promising you on behalf of the Central Bank Of Nigeria that this will not repeat it self any more.

I want you to know that your payment is valid and is reflected in our system, I have ensured that you receive your fund through Certified bank draft acceptable and payable to you in your name as soon as your delivery address has been concluded.

I advice you to cooperate with me and listen to my advice as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will not be held responsible for any lapses or miss-direction of funds Due to your inability of you to cooperate with me who is in-charged as the Executive Governor of (CBN).

I cannot vividly explain how this payment was generated or accrued to you as I am not in the position to do so but was informed that a foreign Contractor who at the time of execution did not receive his contract payment executed a contract with the Federal Government in your favor.

When this payment notification was forwarded to my humble office, I decided to contact You for immediate payment In a Certified bank draft payable to you in your name, which will be delivered to your doorstep in the next 24hours by a courier company.


Therefore, as soon as you receive the Bank Draft, you are to proceed to your bank for payment confirmations. While we back it up through our telex transfer confirmation message system from our office here. Also, you will receive two documents along side your contract C D's with the draft that will protect you from any breach of the International monetary policies.



Ensure that you reconfirm to my attentions your full details as I have requested in my first email e.g. your direct telephone number and receiving address, note that the courier company does not deliver parcels to P.O.BOX. So you must provide a home address.


YOURS SINCERELY,

PROFESSOR CHARLES C. SOLUDO,
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam