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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
  • "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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: vicent uche <mr_vicent112@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:58:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT REPLY


THE OFFICE OF THE REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA,
TINUBU SQUARE,
LAGOS NIGERIA
TEL:+07023208885
REF: EGD/25FD/CBN

>From Mr. vicent uche

Hello,
I work with the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) in remittance department,
I saw a file in respect of your fund that has been abandoned.Your name is
among 5 CLAIMANTS who has been approved to be issued a certified bank
draft for payment of [$2.5m] as part payment of your fund. I suggest that I
can assist you in getting this fund installmentally, what I need from you
is your acceptance for me to go ahead and get this fund and at the end of
the day 10% will be given to me.
All payment shall be transfer directly to you by certified BANK DRAFT.
You are advised to desist from seeking help outside my office in respect to
this new plan by CBN, till you receive your Draft. If it is ok by you, I
will advice you get back to me.
Meanwhile, for an immediate receiving of your approved part payment
Certified Draft of US$2.5Million, you are hereby advice to reconfirm
YOUR FULL NAME, YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS AND YOUR PRIVATE PHONE/FAX NUMBER /AGE/SEX/ to avoid wrong sending of this draft to another person.
Be rest assured that everything is alright.

Thanks,
Mr. vicent uche
CONTACT ME PRIVATELY WITH MYEMAIL ADDRESS



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam