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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Central Bank Governor" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.centbank.pay25.5million2u@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2015 11:51:15 -0700
Subject: Your Payment of 25.5 USD by Nigeria Government/CBN as Inheritance contract file number #/FGN/PTF/407

Dear Esteemed Customer,
 
Your immediate over invoice,contract Inheritance payment with contract file number #/FGN/PTF/407/2014)# MAV/NNPC/FNG? Valued for USD25.5 Million has been released today Reply immediately for more details with your 1.Full Name 2.Residential Address 3.Age 4.Occupation 5. Direct Telephone Numbers for bank transfer include  your bank  details as soon as you receive this email Your immediate respond is urgently Needed Reply to    info.centbank.pay25.5million2u@gmail.com
 
Best Regards
Mr. Godwin Emefiele
Governor Central Bank
 

Anti-fraud resources: