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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
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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)
  • "headquater" (this email uses bad English)
  • "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
  • "charles soludo" (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: charles soludo <nigeria_central_bk_1979@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <centralbank_nigeria205@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:17:09 +0100
Subject: FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA




CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA PLC CBN HEADQUATER- ZARIA STR, GARKI-ABUJA, NIGERIA +23414049528 RE--PAYMENT SCHEDULEATTENTION: Sir/Madam,Dear Honorable contractors/next of kin inheritance,From the records of outstanding contractors and next of kin inheritance due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors and next of kin inheritance who have not received their payments in respect of the contract or next of kin inheritance which you executed here in Nigeria. 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 my record in my file your outstanding contract payment / next of kin inheritance which is these amounts that stated here( US$7.5M ) - (US$5.5M) US$10.5M)-(US$12m) -(US$6.5M)- (US$20.5M)-(US$50M)-(US$25M) (US$4.5M) Please re-confirm to me if this is in line with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings.(1) Your full name.(2) fax and Phone mobile number .(3) Profession, age and marital status.As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you .Please note that all payments is strictly to made by two ways by DHL courier service delivered and account transfer of delivering.Prof. Charles Soludo.Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria PLC (CBN)
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam