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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "million dollars" (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)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
  • "charles c. soludo" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348060504567 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: cbn office <s.olu.c10@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <paymentofficefrdp1@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 16:11:53 +0100
Subject: YOUR IMMEDIATE INHERITANCE PAYMENT



YOUR IMMEDIATE INHERITANCE PAYMENT Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/04IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT.CONTRACT #:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009. Attention. Beneficiary, During the auditing and closing of all financial records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) it was discovered from the records of outstanding foreign contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria in the year 2006/2007 that your name and company is next on the list of those who will received their fund. Firstly, I plead on behalf of my country and the Central Bank of Nigeria for not contacting you all this while as regards your contract payment, which I know by now, must have cost you some inconvenience am promising You on behalf of the central bank of Nigeria that this will not repeat itself any more. I want you to know that your payment is valid and maintained with us here. I have ensured that you receive your fund through an international certified bank draft OR through banking wiring transfer, acceptable and payable to you. I advice you to cooperate with me and listen to my advice as the Central Bank of Nigeria (cbn) will not be held responsible for any lapses or miss-direction of your fund due to your inability to cooperate with me who is in-charge as the new elected executive governor of the central bank of Nigeria (CBN). I can not vividly explain how this payment was generated / occurred to you, but i was informed before I resumed my humble office in the month of may 2004 that a contract with the federal government was executed in your favor by a foreign contractor, who at the point of execution did not receive his payments. Coupled with the fact that the computer departments of the central bank was burnt down some months ago before I resumed this humble office, and all available information as regards your information that was dropped by the foreign contractor was missing as well. When we were able to trace burnt files we were only left with your email address, which I cannot see clearly. When this payment notification was forwarded to my humble office, I decided to contact you for immediate payment in an international certified bank draft, ordirect crediting to your nominated banking account payable to you in your name. 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 my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is $15.7 million dollars (Fifteen million seven hundred thousand united states dollars). Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings1) Your full name.2) Phone, fax and mobile #.3) Company name, position and address.4) Profession, age and marital status.5) Copy of Working ID / DIRIVERS LICENCE OR INT'LPASSPORT
As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft from central bank of Nigeria.Call me on my direct number as soon as you receive this letter for a serious discussion with me.
Best Regards.Prof. Charles C. SoludoExecutive Governor Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) FederationFederal Republic of Nigeria (FRN)MOBILE #: +2348060504567
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam