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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:
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic delivery"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "the consignment " (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)
  • "into your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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 c. 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)
• 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.
  • +2348060001700 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • profcharles_cbn202@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Charles Solodu <profccc5@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <profcharles_cbn202@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:02:01 +0100
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION:



CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIATINUBU SQUARE VICTORIAISLAND LAGOS-NIGERIAOFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.CONTRACT #:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009,Swift Code: BPH KPLPK,A/C#:329606=101244=169=678FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENTCENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIAOur Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/07 Dear Sir/Madam, IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION: We have on this 22th of August, 2007 received a payment credit instruction from the Federal Governmet of Nigeria in collaboration with IMF and World Bank to credit your account with your full contract funds valued at $10.7m(Ten Million Seven Hundred ThousandDollars) from the government reserve account with our bank through diplomatic delivery. This is to notify you that your funds have been programmed for immediate release into your nominated bank account but we can not transfer this funddirect to your nominated bank account,because we are having a little problem with International MonetaryFund (IMF) so our method of payment is by Diplomatic Courier Service. Be informed that every arrangement regarding your cash payment through diplomatic services has been made, note that your funds have been packaged like a consignment.Note that the Diplomatic Agency has to move down to your country in order to deliver the Consignment to your doorstep. Kindly re-confirm to me the followings: 1) Your Contact Names in Full.......................................2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #s.........................................3) Name, Position and Address.......................................4) Profession, Age and Marital Status...............................5) Scanned Copy of your Driver's License or Business Identity Card/Int'lPassport via email attachment.6) Nearest Airport.................................................. As soon as the above mentioned details are received, your payment will be made to you via diplomatic courier delivery in accordance to World Bank and IMF recommendations. A diplomat with international travel immunity will be contracted to deliver the funds at your doorstep. Yours Faithfully, Professor Charles C. SoludoExecutive Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).Personal E-mail: profcharles_cbn202@yahoo.com HONOURABLE CONTRACTOR/BENEFICIARY.PHONE 234 8060001700
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam