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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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "prof chalers soludo" <soludo18@msn.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 08:07:51 +0000
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT

ATTN: Dear Contractor

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

From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the
FederalGovernment 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
bereleased to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that
frommy record in my file your outstanding contract payment is US$32.7
milliondollars (Thirty-two million seven hundred thousand united states
dollars).

Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what we have in your
recordand 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
bankand confirm it.


Regards,

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

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam