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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: "CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <centralbnknnga@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 05:22:58 -0400
Subject: GOOD NEWS

 
THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
CONTACT Our Ref: CBN/OHG/OXD1/09
Your Ref: ...............
TELEX: CENTRAL BANK.
PAYMENT FILE: CBN/BEN/09.
PAYMENT NOTIFICATION,
Definitely, I know that this letter will be a surprising one to you. Firstly, I will like to introduce my self formally as Mr.Godwin Emefiele, The Executive Governor of The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). I am officially contacting you today because your Inheritance Funds were Re-deposited into the "Federal Suspense Account" of CBN Central Bank Of Nigeria last week, because you did not forward your Claim as the Rightful beneficiary Well known to all, The Central Bank of Nigeria is the mother Bank of all commercial Banks here in Nigeria. So has the singular right to carry out this delivery.
Really these men were unexpected by me because their visit was impromptu. I had to ask them why they came to see me in person and they said that they were here to collect the Inheritance Bill in Sum of ($10 MILLION USD) which rightfully belongs to you, on your behalf. In respect of your unfinished transaction which you are unable to collect your fund.
At this development I asked them who authorized them to come down to Nigeria for the Collection of this Payment and they told me that you asked them to come and collect this Funds on your Behalf. In fact this was the biggest shock that this Bank have ever received so far because your Inheritance Funds is still in the "Federal Suspense Account" of CBN, yet you sent these men to come and collect this Funds on your behalf without notifying us.
We in this Bank do not understand why you sent these men to come and Collect your Funds on your behalf. If actually you want them to help you collect your Inheritance Bill Sum, at least you should have informed me as the Executive Governor of this Bank. They actually tendered some Vital Documents, which proved that you actually sent them for the Collection of this Fund. Honestly, it really baffles me that you took such decision without my consent, by and large we still have to consider the fact that as the rightful owner of the fund you still have your own rights too.
Here are the Documents, which they tendered to this Bank:
1. LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION.
2. HIGH COURT INJUNCTION.
3. ORDER TO RELEASE.
Actually, these Documents, which they tendered to this Noble Bank, is a clear Proof that you sent them to Collect this Funds for you. Finally, I told them to come back and they promised to come back. As the Governor of this Noble Bank, I was supposed to Release this Funds to them but I refused to do so because I wanted to hear from you first. Due to the Nature of my job, I will not want to make any mistake in Releasing this Funds to anyone except you whom is the Recognized Bonafide Beneficiary to this Funds.
Kindly clarify us on this issue before we make this Payment to these foreigners whom came on your behalf. In receipt of this confidential Letter, you are required to respond immediately to this email : with your full name, address and phone number for reconfirmation and immediate action.
However, I want you to know that this fund will reach via bank to bank transfer, neither by any courier nor postage because we found out that there have been much Problems when trying to deliver this via courier services. Moreover the transferring bank will be introduced as soon as we confirmed from you if really you send those men to get your fund on your behalf. I also want you to know that the only fee attach to this fund which you must have to take of is the administrative charges and the paper work $390usd.So be informed.
OFFICIALLY SIGNED.
ACTING GOVERNOR OF CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
MR GODWIN EMEFIELE
 

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