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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• 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.
  • +2348058522561 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: soludo charles <remitance_00037@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <contractpayment2.2007@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 11:38:34 +0100
Subject: YOUR IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT




CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIAINTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENTCORPORATE HEAD QUARTERSTINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS NIGERIA.Tel: +2348058522561
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/06

ATTN: HONOURABLE CONTRACTOR,
IMMEDIATE CONTRACTPAYMENT.CONTRACT#:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009.
From the Records of outstanding contractors due for Payment with theFederal Government of Nigeria, your Name was attached as the next ofkin to one of our late contractor. your payment has been discoveredas next on the list of payment. So I wish to inform you that yourpayment is being processed and will be released to you as soon asyou respond to this letter. Also be advised that because of too manycontractors that I have to pay at this final quarter of the year,you will only receive the sum of $10,000,000 USD. So that I will beable to pay other contractors, but my promise is that I will makesure that you receive your balance later. Kindly re-confirm to methe following:

1. Your full name2. Phone,fax and mobile #.3. Company name, and address.4. Profession, age and marital status.5. Copy of int'l passport or drivers license (Optional)
As soon as this information is received, your payment will be madeto you in a certified bank draft directly from Central Bank ofNigeria and note that you must be at least 21 years of age to claimthis fund and if not, your money will be kept till you reach thatage. Reply me as soon as you receive this letter forfurtherdiscussion Get back to me immediately.
Regards,

Prof. Charles SoludoExecutive Governor,Central Bank of Nigeria.Tel: +2348058522561
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam