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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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 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)
  • "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • cbn_contract_payment@myway.com

Fraud email example:

From: "charles soludo" <cbn_contractpaymentdept1@msn.com>
Reply-To: cbn_contract_payment@myway.com
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 13:21:01 +0000
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT

ATTN:


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 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 note that
from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is
US$5 000,000.00 ( five million united states dollars).

Kindly 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 nominated bank account
directly from Central Bank of Nigeria.

as soon as you
receive this letter for further discussion get back to me on this
e-mail address:(cbn_contract_payment@myway.com)
Regards

PROFESSOR CHARLES C. SOLUDO,
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam