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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: "Executive Governor" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <govermor2@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2014 08:17:49 -0700
Subject: Urgent Release of Contract/Inheritance Payment Valued USD25.5 Million Payment File #/FGN/PTF/407/201

 
Attn: Dear Esteemed Customer,
 
I Am Mr. Godwin Emefiele the New Executive Governor Central Bank Of Nigeria, After my assumption of duty, I was instructed to pay all outstanding contracts/inheritance and lottery fund which your name and emails address was discovered as next on the list for payment of (USD25, 500,000.00) after we met with The President, Finance Minister, senators, House of Representative with all the commercial banks directors in Nigeria,
 
We have agreed to pay you via Bank of America through our Fiduciary agent in New York for the professional assistance and immediate release of his funds:-To pay you by Bank to Bank Transfer send your 1.Full Name 2.Residential Address 3.Age 4.Occupation 5. Direct Telephone Numbers include your bank detail for the transfer, and a copy of any government approved passport or identification.
 
As soon as you receive this email Reply immediately for more Information to:  gov25.5million@gmail.com
 
REGARDS.
Mr. Godwin Emefiele
Governor Central Bank of Nigeria
DIRECT LINE +234-701-518-8064
 

Anti-fraud resources: