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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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)
  • "transfer of your funds" (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)
  • "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.
  • +2348030825953 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: DR MUSA BELLO <drmusa_cbn@mail.ru>
Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 18:28:34 +0400
Subject: OFFICIAL NOTICE




CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE OFFICETINUBU SQUARE P.M.B.1213 MARINA LAGOS

Tel:234-803-082-5953
FROM DESK OF:
DR. MUSA BELLO
HEAD,INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA


CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009,
Swift Code: BPH KPL PK,
A/C#: 329606=101244=169=678
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL BANK NIGERIA
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/04
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009 Attn: VICTIM-FULLNAME
We appologies, for the delay of your payment and all the inconveniences
and inflict that we might have indulge you through. However, we were having some minor problems with our payment system, which is inexplicable, and have held us stranded and indolent, not having the aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting foreign contract payments. We apologies once again.
>From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the
Federal Government of Nigeria your name and company is on the list major
contractors who have not received their payments for the Federal Plateau Project.
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 the record in my file your outstanding contract payment is US25.7$ Millions Dollars.
Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you 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)Copy of int'l passport or drivers license.6)Bank informaion As soon as this information is received and confirmed, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft from Central Bank of Nigeria and a copy will be given to you for you to take to your bank for confirmation. Get back to me immediately. As a result of the on-going drive of the Government to update its books and clear payment to contractors, I strongly recommend that you promptly start your clearance as soon as possible for more clarification and for immediate transfer of your funds Yours sincerely,
For: Central Bank Of Nigeria.
Dr. Musa Bello
Head,International Remittance.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam