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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "AWATING PAYMENT NOTIFICATION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <efrank39@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Aug 2013 20:27:01 -0400
Subject: Re; Treat Urgently From Dr. Frank

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE,
LAGOS.

Our Ref: CBN/LD/HOD/09/08/2013
Your Ref: ...................
Telex: CENBANK.
Tel: +234 803 531 1607
Fax:+23412270437

PAYMENT FILE: CBN/IRD/BEN/2013

Attn: Beneficiary,

This is to let you know that after much investigation we discovered that the Nigerian Government is owing you some millions of dollars and We are sorry for the delay.
After due process, We discovered you hadlost a lot of money in pursuant of this funds to you.However all the board of directors have unanimously agreed to remit this money to your designated bank account without further delay. However, you are by this letter advised to re-confirm to me your bank account details for immediate release of your funds and your direct telephone number for easy communication.

Much Obliged,

Mr. Frank Ekeh
Director,
Central Bank of Nigeria.

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