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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:
  • "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)
  • "into 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)
  • "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)
  • "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: "Prof Charles Soludo" <officemail03@colombia.com>
Reply-To: department.contractor@live.com
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 13:21:07 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION


CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS.
TINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS.
OUR REF: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/04
CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009 )
A/C#: 32780612669g8
SWIFT CODE: BPH KPL PK.
EMAIL: department.contractor@live.com


GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ON CONTRACT PAYMENT
RE/ IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION /FINAL NOTICE.


This is to officialy inform you that we have been verified your
contract/interitance file and found out that you have that the reason why
you have not received your payment is because you have not fufilled the
obligations given to you in respect of your contract/inheritance payment.

From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the
federal Government of Nigeria, your name and company was discovered as next
on the list of The outstanding contractors who have not received their
payments.

Due to our last conference meeting with Mr President and in conclusion of
the final desicion, 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$30M, (Thirty Million United States Dollars only) Please re-confirm to
me if this is Online with what you have in your record and also re-confirm
to me the followings.

1. Your full name.
2. Phone, fax and mobile #.
3. Company's name,position and address.
4. Profession, age and marital status.
5. Copy of int'l passport or any scanned identity to prove yourself.
6. Bank Details where you want your fund to be transferd.

The payment will effect immediately as soon as these information are
Received and your payment will be made to you in a CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT and
A copy will be sent to you for you to take to your Bank and confirm it, or
transfer your fund through Telegraphic transfer, this way your fund will be
wired directly into your nominated Bank account as designated and means your
banking information will be needed so as to enable the foreign remittance
director start processing your payment file prior to subsequent release of
your fund into your Bank account without any further delay, depending on the
method you choose to receive Your fund.

You are advised to get back to my office immediately on this email address
below for more instructions: department.contractor@live.com

Congratulations!


Prof.Charles.C.Soludo
Executive Governor
Central Bank of Nig

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam