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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Charles Soludo" <charlessoludo@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: charles.s.cbn@jmail.co.za
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 11:17:17 +0000
Subject: ENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA TINUBU SQUARE,


*ENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA TINUBU SQUARE,
VICTORIA ISLAND,LAGOS-NIGERIA
FROM THE DESK OF PROF,CHARLES C.SOLUDO.
GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK OFNIGERIA.*

*ATTN: HONURABLE CONTRACTOR ,YOUR IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT!!!
PAYMENT.CONTRACT#:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/008.
Our Ref: PYT-PED/FGN/NNPC-1024.*

* Sir,
I Wish to inform you once again that I have received unconditional
instruction from the presidency federal republic of Nigeria to release part
payment of $7USD(seven million united states dollars).into your nominated
bank account. *

*Your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding
contractors who have not received their payments. Also note that from my
record in my file your outstanding contract payment was not $7USD but the
Government decided to compensated few foreigners base on the promise our
president gave to the united nation on anti-corruption. This is a huge sum
which can it be broken down into smaller blocks? Please re-confirm to me if
this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me
the followings,*

* 1) Your full name.
2) Phone/fax numbers.
3) Company name/position.
4) Your company name/ position
5 Your age/ marital status.
6) Mailing address.
6) A copy of your international passport.
As soon as this informations are received, your payment will be made to you
in a certified bank Draft from central bank of Nigeria through courier
service. *

*CONGRATULATIONS,
Yours sincerly,Prof Charles Soludo
GOVERNOR OF CENTRAL BANK OF
NIGERIA.*

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam