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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)
  • "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)
  • ",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)
  • "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.
  • +2348058522567 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: charles soludo <remitance_562@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <remitance_01@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:05:27 +0100
Subject: HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU








CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA INTERNATIONALREMITTANCE DEPARTMENTCORPORATE HEAD QUARTERSTINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS NIGERIA. Tel: +2348058522567Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/06
ATTN: HONOURABLE CONTRACTOR,
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT.CONTRACT#:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009.

>From the Records of outstanding contractors due for Payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria, your Name was attached as the next of kin to one of our late contractor. your payment has been discovered as next on the list of payment. So 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 be advised that because of too many contractors 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 be able to pay other contractors, but my promise is that I will make sure that you receive your balance later. Kindly re-confirm to me the following:

1. Your fullname2. 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 made to you in a certified bank draft directly from Central Bank of Nigeria and note that you must be at least 21 years of age to claim this fund and if not, your money will be kept till you reach that age. Reply me as soon as you receive this letter for furtherdiscussion Get back to me immediately.

Regards,
Prof. Charles SoludoExecutive Governor,Central Bank of Nigeria.Tel: +2348058522567
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam