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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "hundred thousand us dollars" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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 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)
  • "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 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.
  • charlessoludo_bank11@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: charles soludo <charles-050@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <charlessoludo_bank11@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2007 12:12:55 +0100
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT



CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA TINUBU SQUARE, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS-NIGERIA Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/06 Date:16/10/2007 EMAIL:charlessoludo_bank11@yahoo.com

IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT

During the auditing and closing of all financial records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) it was discovered from the records of outstanding Foreign Contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria in the year 2006 that your name and company is next on the list of those who will received their fund.
I wish to officially notify you that your payment is being processed and will be raeleased to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in our file, your outstanding contract payment is USD$15.700,000.00 (Fifteen Million Seven Hundred Thousand Us Dollars)
Kindly re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm the information below to enable this office proceed and finalize your fund remittance without further delays.
1) Your full name. 2) Phone, fax and mobile #. 3) Company name, position and address. 4) Profession, age and marital status. 5) Copy of Drivers License I .D.
As soon as the above information are received, your payment will be made available to you via an international certified bank draft, which will be delivered to your doorstep for your confirmation. You should call my direct number as soon as you receive this letter for further discussion and more clarification.
Best regards,
Prof. Charles C. Soludo Executive Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). EMAIL:charlessoludo_bank11@yahoo.com
_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam