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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "Prof.Charles Soludo" <cbn_gov64@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 15:07:44 -0700
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT

Attn.:Ian

IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT.CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009.

From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal
Government of Nigeria, your name and company was discovered as next on the
list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments.


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 US$65.7 million dollars



Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what we have in your record
and also re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name.

2) Phone, fax and mobile #.

3) Company name, position and address.

4) Profession,

5) Scanned copy of int'l passport.

As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to
you in a certified bank draft or wired to your bank account directly from
Central Bank of Nigeria and a copy will be given to you for you to take
to your bank and confirm it.

Regards,

Prof. Charles Soludo.
Executive Governor,
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)


Anti-fraud resources: