419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "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)
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.
- +2347034716446
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.
- electronicbanking_cbn234@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "LAMIDO SANUSI" <CBN@INFO.ORG>
Reply-To: electronicbanking_cbn234@yahoo.it
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:12:28 -0500
Subject: YOUR $25.5 MILLION INHERITANCE/ CONTRACT FUNDS IS READY TO BE
RELEASED TO YOU.

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS

TINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS

TEL;+234-70-34716446

PAYMENT NOTIFICATION ADVICE.

PAYMENT:REF:NUMBERS #MAV/FGN/MIN/009

ATTN: BENEFICIARY ,

In our response to instruction from the Federal Government of Nigeria and the
Attorney General of the Federation) received this morning
to release and pay all foreign contract funds to their contractors. The
Central Bank of Nigeria on this day issued the release of your contract
payment in three mode of payment and you are nereby directed to choose the
best mode of payment which is suitablea to you.

Based on that you have been advised not to respond to any mail or fax
concerning your fund from any body who claim to be your agent as your PAYMENT
has being gazzetted awaiting for your response and choice .

In view of this we are officially informing that the three mode of payments
are as follows .

[1] Payment through a certifield bank draft .

[2] Payment through Atm card.

[3] Payment by check.

(4) WIRE TRANSFER(KTT)

You are authorised to choose the best mode of payment you will like us to pay
you and be informed that this first quarter of the new year ,we can only pay a
part payment of your total contract amount and the second part will be paid to
you by the end of this first quarter , we want to make sure that all our
numerious contractors is happy this new year as we apologise for all what had
happen to you in pursuance of this contract payment .

In line with this development, This apex bank has given the deputy governor of
this central bank of Nigeria Dr Tunde Lemo the power to pay all our
contractors their fund and as a result of this instruction you are advise to
contact Dr Tunde Lemo on his tell no TEL;+234-70-34716446 , email;
electronicbanking_cbn234@yahoo.it ; for your immediate payment of your
contract fund and comply to his directives .

Be warn, you should avoid and prevent any thing that can cause unnecessary
delay, as this may be the last opportunity for you to receive your payment,
hence all your past efforts and contacts has failed you.

N: B. Be warn that this exercise will only last for seven banking working days
from today .

Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name_________________

2) Full Mailing Address _______________

3) Phone, fax and mobile #__________________

4)Scanned copy of int'l passport.______________________

5) Full banking details:_________________________________

With regards to your fund you are advised to follow-up instructions only from
this office below is your payment (REF.# .MAV/FGN/MIN/009) any mail or faxes
with out your payment refrence numbers ,you should disregards it.

Congratulations!

Yours faithfully

ALHAJI LAMIDO SANUSI LAMIDO.
Executive Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam