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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: "PROF. CHARLES SOLUDO" <cbn_governor77@msn.com>
Reply-To: cbn_governor77@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:23:50 +0000
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT

CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS
GARKI, ABUJA-NIGERIA.
EMAIL:  cbn_governor77@msn.com   
PHONE:234-1-4752390
DATE: 9TH,JAN,2006
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR (CBN)
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/05
ATTN: SIR/MADAM,
                
                 IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION.
                    CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/0019.

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 yet 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 be advised that because of two many contractors that I have to pay at this first quarter of the year, you will only receive the sum of US$20, 000,000, (Twenty Million United States Dollars Only), So that I will be able to pay other contractors, but my promise is that I will make sure that you receive your balance later.  
Kindly re-confirm to me the followings information:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name and address.
4) Profession, age and marital staus.

Upon the reconfirmation of the above  information , your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft or wired to your nominated bank account directly from Central Bank of Nigeria.Send me an email as soon as you receive this mail.
 
Regards,
Prof. Charles Soludo.
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