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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "inheritance funds" (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)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "100% hitch free" (a common phrase found 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)
  • "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: "cbnoffice mailbox" <cbnoffice_mailbox@klikni.cz>
Reply-To: gov.cbbox@live.com
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 16:08:55 +0100
Subject: IMMEDIATE FUND RELEASE ORDER FROM THE PRESIDENCY TODAY 24/05/2008


CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE , VICTORIA ISLAND , LAGOS-NIGERIA
(OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)
TINUBU SQUARE , LAGOS - NIGERIA .
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBN/FGN/04/VOL/1

ATTN: Beneficiary,

IMMEDIATE FUND RELEASE ORDER FROM THE PRESIDENCY TODAY 24/05/2008

Authorization later was issued this afternoon from the presidency after
their meeting this morning with Joint Action committee members of the
National Assembly on debt management on your behalf regarding your contract
out standing payment for a part payment of US$3.3 (Three Million Three
Hundred thousand United State Dollars Only)

In My capacity as the Central Bank Governor, I apologize for and on behalf
of the Government and People of Nigeria for any inconvenience as a result of
delay in this transaction, while advice that further communication with any
other agency be stop with immediate effect for your own good since the
presidency has withdraw all their right mandating this office only to carry
out the transfer in it statutory right as the nations banker to avoid
further delay in the release of the fund already approved today the 24th day
of May 2008.

This reason for this approval today came as a result of our auditing and
closing of all financial records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) first
quota, where it was discovered from the records of outstanding contractors
and inheritance funds due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria
that your name, email and company was next on the list of the outstanding
contractors who have not yet received their payment.

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. Be assured
that this transaction is 100% hitch free and my promise is that you will
receive your fund without any delay having confided with the president's
letter to me this morning regarding the immediate release of your contract/
inheritance payment

To facilitate with the process of this transaction, please kindly re-confirm
the following information as stated below:

1) Your full name and address
2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address
4) Profession, age and marital Status.
5) A copy of your personal Identification means.

Upon the reconfirmation of the above information, your payment will be
released to you via a certified bank draft, ATM Swift Alternative Payment
System or wired to your nominated bank account directly from Central Bank of
Nigeria.

You are therefore advised to reply urgently as soon as you receive this
letter for further discussion and more clarification through this email
address {gov.cbbox@live.com}

Best Regards,

Prof. Charles C. Soludo.
Executive Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam