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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Company names mentioned in 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.

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)
  • "transfer of your funds" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "charles c. 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348080253997 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • official1212@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA." <info@eco-ng.com>
Reply-To: "profcharles__official1212@hotmail.com" <profcharles__official1212@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:45:53 -0700 (MST)
Subject: FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT.





CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA
ISLAND,LAGOS-NIGERIA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EMAIL:profcharles__official1212@hotmail.com
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL BANK NIGERIA
CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009,
Swift Code: BPH KPL PK,
A/C#: 329606=101244=169=678
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/04
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT OF US$5.5M NOTIFICATION



Attn:



On behalf of the entire members and staffs of the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN), I sincerely apologies for the delay of your payment and
all the inconveniences that we might have indulge you through.

However,this resulted from some minor problems with our payment system,
which is inexplicable, and this have held us stranded and indolent, not
having the aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting foreign
contract payments.



I apologies once again. From the records of our outstanding
contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria,
your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the contractors who have not yet received their payments. I wish to inform you that your
payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you
respond to this urgent notification.



Also note that from the records in my file, your outstanding contract
paymentis Ten Million, Seven Hundred Thousand United State Dollars
(US$10,700,000.00).



Please re-confirm to me the following, and as soon as your information
is received, your payment will be made.



1) Your Full Name.
2) Phone, Mobile number/fax if any
3) Company Name, Position And Address.
4) Profession, Age and Marital Status.
5) Scanned Copy Of Your Int'l Passport.
6) Staff I.D card



I strongly recommend that, you should promptly start your clearance as
soon as possible. kindly reply with this e-mail
address,profcharles__official1212@hotmail.com for more clearification
andfor immediate transfer of your funds



YOURS SINCERELY,



PROFESSOR CHARLES C. SOLUDO,
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).
NOTE: RESPONSE SHOULD BE MADE ON THIS EMAIL
Email:profcharles__official1212@hotmail.com
DIRECT LINE:+234-8080253997.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam