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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "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)
  • "charles soludo" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348057018424 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • info_contractorcbn@yahoo.com

Fraud email example:

From: GOVERNOR CBN <governor_cbn_info@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2006 04:21:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: IMMEDIATE PAYMENT RELEASED



CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,LAGOS-NIGERIA

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE LAGOS

From: the desk of:
Prof. Charles Soludo.
Executive Governor (CBN)
Tel: +234-80-5701-8424
E-mail:info_contractorcbn@yahoo.com
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/06

Attn: Honourable Contractor.

During the auditing and closing of all financial records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) it was discovered from the records of outstanding foreign contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria in the year 2006, your name and company is next on the list of those who will received their fund. I wish to officially notify 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 the record in our file, your outstanding contract payment is USD$12,500,000.00 (Twelve million five hundred thousand United States Dollars).

Kindly re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your records and also re-confirm the information below to enable this office proceed and finalize your fund remittance without further delays.

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


As soon as the above information are received, your payment will be made available to you via an international certified bank draft, which will be delivered to your doorstep for your confirmation, or Wire transfer into your bank account. You should call my direct number as soon as you receive this letter for further discussion and more clarification.

YOURS SINCERELY,


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



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam