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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:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "enerst ebi" <enerstebi17@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: enerstebi_cbn@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 09:53:02 +0100
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT/INHERITANCE PAYMENT

                       CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
               TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIAISLAND,LAGOS-NIGERIA
                   
      
                        FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
                              CENTRAL BANK OFNIGERIA
                              TINUBU SQUARE LAGOS
 
From the Desk Of:
Dr.Enerst Ebi,Deputy Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
 
ATTN: HONOURABLE CONTRACTOR,
 
                           IMMEDIATE CONTRACT/INHERITANCE PAYMENT
                                    
 
We apologies, 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 of major contractors who have not received their payments for the Federal Project executed for federal of Nigeria.

I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you through certified cashier’s bank Draft/wire transfer as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in my file you’re outstanding contract payment is USD$10.5(Ten Millions Five Hundred Thousand 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) Working I’d/Int'l passport...................................................................
 6) Confidential address……………………………………………….
As soon as this information is received and confirmed, copy of you’re of certified cashier’s bank Draft will be given to you for you to take to your Bank for confirmation.
 
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 ok.
 
Get back to me immediately.
 
Waiting for your urgent response.
 
ONCE AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS.
 
Thanks.
 
YOURS SINCERELY,
 
Dr.Enerst Ebi, Deputy Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam