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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "tax clearance" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "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)
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.
- +2348090718221 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: REV DR PEPER OLU FOREIGN OPERATIONS CBN <revpeterolu.remmcbn@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:06:53 -0800
Subject: Re:Emergency Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Payment Approval
Notice./Approval Number:FGN/CBN/WRPCC/37/11.

*Re:Emergency Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Payment Approval
Notice./Approval Number:FGN/CBN/WRPCC/37/11.*

*Dear Sir.*

*Be informed that we they entire members of the senate of the Federal
Republic of Ngeria and the office of the presidency in conjuctions with
the United Nation and the office of the Executive Governor of the Central
Bank if Nigeria, on behalf of the federal Republic of Nigeria Government
under the auspices of our able President Dr.Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR) have
unanimously approved and signed the immediate payment of your overdue funds
in your favor without further delays.*

*We have finally carried out verifications in your Inheritance/Contract
payment file as directed by our supervisory ministry, Federal
Minstry of Finance and the office of the Presidency via a letter dated 26th
Oct ,2011 with file No. FGN/CBN/WRPCC/37/11 regarding the
Inheritance/Contract Payment of $4,500,000.00 (Four Million Five Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars Only) and wish to bring to your
kind notice that the outcome of the exercise proved that your claim is
genuine, and as a result, we certified it alright for immediate
payment to your designated bank account or by ATM Master Card.*

*Consequently, we have raised and irrevocable payment instrument Code
Number CBN-0485 dated 28th Oct , 2011 in your Favour to pay you the
sum of $4,500,000.00 (Four Million Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars Only).The only money you are to pay to the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) is just the sum of $298 (Two Hundred and Ninty Eight Dollars)which
will cover your cost NRTC (Non Residence Tax Clearance), which is Necessary
to be paid and as it will allow the paying bank to deduct all the
charges/feess and make your wire transfer successfully into your personal
bank account without extra cost.*
*This Bank do hereby advice the TELEX DEPARTMENT to proceeds through our
paying bank for the transfer of the sum valued $4,500,000.00 to
the beneficiary’s choose of payment by Bank to Bank transfer or by ATM
Card, Your will receive your fund through our escrow account with FRB in
New York then all the necessary documents about your transfer will be send
to you are copies to receiving bank. Note your fund will
reflect into your account within 72hours of the transfer,however, you are
required to reconfirm the following details.*

*The needed information’s is asked below:-
NAME:..............................
AGE:...............................
SEX:...............................
ADDRESS:...........................
EMAIL:.............................
DIRECT PHONE:......................
OCCUPATION:........................
COMPANY:...........................
COUNTRY:...........................*

*Remember to reconfirm your fund banking details where we are going to wire
the money.The only money you are to pay sum of $298 for
NRTC (Non Residence Tax Clearance), which is Necessary to be paid and it
will allow the paying bank deduct all the charges and make your
wire transfer successfully into your personal account, so you have to take
note of this because it is very obligatory and mandatory as a Nigerian Non
Resident Personal.details:*

*Finally I would like to hear from you as soon as you receive this payment
Gazatte with the required informations as above so that we can complete
this your Transfer process immediately. Again we have three ways of paying
you either by bank to bank transfer, ATM card payment or by Draft so you
have the right to choose the mode that will be ok for you.*
*Call me on my direct telephone number: 234-809-0718221. as soon as you
receive this letter for more advise on your immediate payment and i will
instruct you on how to send the above Non Resident Tax Clearance fees sum
to our bank immediately hear from you.*

*Best Regards.*

*Rev.Dr.Peter Olusegun.
New Director International Remittance
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Direct Telephone:234-809-0718221.*

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam