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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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Fraud email example:

From: "prof chalers soludo" <soludo18@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 15:37:29 +0000
Subject: hello.

ATTN: Dear Contractor

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$32.7 million
dollars (Thirty-two million seven hundred thousand united states 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, age and marital status.
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 Soludu.
Executive Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)


Anti-fraud resources: