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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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• What can you do when you receive 419 spam
  
  
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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:
  • "the consignment" (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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA" <charlesss71@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:32:56 -1200
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,
LAGOS-NIGERIA
[OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR]

URGENT ATTENTION;

THIS IS TO NOTIFY YOU THAT YOU FUNDS HAS BEEN PROGRAMMED
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE INTO YOUR NOMINATED ACCOUNT BUT WE CAN
NOT TRANSFER THIS FUNDS DIRECT TO YOUR NOMINATED BANK
ACCOUNT,
BECAUSE WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH INTERNATIONAL
MONETARY FUND (IMF) SO OUR METHOD OF PAYMENT IS BY
DIPLOMATIC
COURIER SERVICE

NOTE; THAT EVERY ARRANGEMENT REGARDING YOUR CASH PAYMENT
THROUGH DIPLOMATIC SERVICES HAS BEEN MADE, NOTE THAT YOUR
FUNDS HAVE BEEN PACKAGE LIKE A CONSIGNMENT. BE INFORM THAT
THE DIPLOMATIC AGENCY HAS TO MOVE DOWN TO YOUR COUNTRY IN
ORDER TO DELIVER THE CONSIGNMENT TO YOUR DOORSTEP.
I WANT YOU TO SEND YOUR DIRECT MOBILE PHONE AND YOUR
HOME ADDRESS TO ME IMMEDIATELY, SO THAT AS SOON AS THE
DIPLOMATIC ARRIVE IN STATE THEY WILL CALL YOU
IMMEDIATELY TO NOTIFY YOU.
LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU

YOURS FAITHFULLY.
PROF CHARLES SOLUDO

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam