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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Prof. Charles Soludo" <prof.ccs1@mailbox.hu>
Reply-To: prof.ccs222@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 00:17:22 +0100
Subject: Dear Beneficiary, This Is To Notify You..


CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY,
THE HONORABLE, GOVERNOR OF CBN.
TINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS- NIGERIA
Our Ref: CBN/OHG/OXD1/2008
Your Ref:...............
TELEX: CENBANK.
PAYMENT FILE: CBN/BEN/08.

Attn: Beneficiary,

PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR FUND.

Definitely, I know that this letter will be a surprising one to you.
Firstly, I will like to introduce myself formally as Prof. Charles Soludo,
The Executive Governor of The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

You are been officially contacted by me today because your Inheritance
Funds were Re-deposited into the "Federal Suspense Account" of CBN last
week, because you did not forward your Claim as the Right beneficiary. Well
known to all, The Central Bank of Nigeria is the mother Bank of all
commercial Banks here in Nigeria.

Really these men were unexpected by me because their visit was impromptu. I
had to ask them why they came to see me in person and they said that they
were here to Collect the Inheritance Bill Sum of (US$20,000,000) which
rightfully belongs to you, on your behalf.

At this development I asked them who authorized them to come down to Nigeria
for the Collection of this Payment and they told me that you asked them to
come and collect this Funds on your Behalf. In fact this was the biggest
shock that this Bank have ever received so far because your Inheritance
Funds is still in the "Federal Suspense Account" of CBN, yet you sent these
men to come and collect this Funds on your behalf without notifying us.

We in this Bank do not understand why you sent these men to come and Collect
your Funds on your behalf. If actually you want them to help you Collect
your Inheritance Bill Sum, at least you should have informed me as the
Executive Governor of this Bank.

They actually tendered some Vital Documents which Proved that you actually
sent them for the Collection of this Funds. Honestly, it really baffles me
that you took such decision without my consent.

Here are the Documents which they tendered to this Bank today:

1. LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION.
2. HIGH COURT INJUNCTION.
3. ORDER TO RELEASE.

Actually, these Documents which they tendered to this Noble Bank is a clear
Proof that you sent them to Collect this Funds for you. Finally, I told them
to come back tomorrow morning and they promised to come back.

As the Governor of this Noble Bank, I was supposed to Release this Funds to
them but I refused to do so because I wanted to hear from you first. Due to
the Nature of my job, I will not want to make any mistake in Releasing this
Funds to anyone except you whom is the Recognized Bonafide Beneficiary to
this Funds.

Kindly clarify us on this issue before we make this Payment to these
foreigners whom came on your behalf.

In receipt of this confidential Letter, you are required to contact this
Bank immediately you receive this Confidential Letter with your full name,
address and phone number for reconfirmation and immediate action.

OFFICIALLY SIGNED.
PROF. CHARLES SOLUDO

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