419 scam: "MR. MICHEAL MORGAN"<mrmichealcmorgan@yahoo.co.jp> DEPUTY GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF

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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:

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:
- "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)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned 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: "MR. MICHEAL MORGAN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <k_kelvin_coleman@ymail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2012 04:02:04 -0700
Subject: DEPUTY GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF

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

CONTRACT#: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/2012,
Swift Code: BPH KPL PK,A/C#:
329606=101244=169=678
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENTS
CENTRAL BANK NIGERIA
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/04

IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/2012,

We apologies, for the delay of your payment and all the inconveniences
and inflict that we might have indulge you through. However, we were
having some minor problems with our payment system, which is inexplicable, and have held us stranded and indolent, not having the aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting foreign contract payments. We apologies once again.

>From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the
Federal Government of Nigeria your name and company is on the list major contractors who have not received their payments for the Federal
Project.I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter.

Also note that from the record in my file your outstanding contract
payment is $15m. Fifteen Million U.S. Dollars only, has been approved
for immediate payment to you. For the Purpose of Verification and
authentication, You are advised to Contact me on e-mail: so kindly contact me for the immediate transfer of your already approved funds okay!

Please re-confirm to me if this is in line with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings

1) Your full name.
2) Personal phone number. for effective Communication.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession , age and marital status.
5)Working Int'l passport.

As soon as this information is received and confirmed, your payment
will be made to you in a certified bank draft from Central Bank of
Nigeria and a copy will be given to you for you to take to your bank
for confirmation. Get back to me immediately. As a result of the
on-going drive of the Government to update its books and clear payment
to contractors,

I strongly recommend that you promptly start your clearance as soon as
possible for more clarification and for immediate transfer of your
funds.

YOURS SINCERELY,

DEPUTY GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF
NIGERIA (CBN).

NOTE: RESPONSE SHOULD BE MADE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IT WILL BE TOO LATE FOR YOU.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam