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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "hundred thousand united states 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)
  • ",500,000" (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)
  • "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)
  • "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 payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "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: "drhassanbello@ymail.com" <drbhassan01@mobimail.mn>
Date: Sun, 6 Jul 2008 17:28:18 -0700
Subject: ATTN: HONOURABLE CONTRACTOR


From The Desk Of:
Dr Hassan Bello
Director Foreign Payment Department,
Central Bank Of Nigeria .
RE: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT
CONTRACT #: AV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009

ATTN: HONOURABLE CONTRACTOR

On behalf of the entire Staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal
Government of Nigeria in collaboration with IMF and World Bank. We apologise
for the delay of your Contract Payment and all the Inconveniences you
encountered while pursuing this payment.

However,from the Records of outstanding Contractors due for payment with the
Federal Government of Nigeria, your Name and Company was discovered as next
on the list of the outstanding Contractors who have not yet received their
payments.I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole
and your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as
you respond to this letter.
Also note that from the record in my file, your outstanding Contract Payment
is US$10,500,000.00 (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars).

Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:

Your Full Name: _______________________
Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code not
P.O.BOX) : ______________________
Name of City of Residence:________________
Country:__ ____________
Direct Telephone Number:_____________________
Mobile
Number:_____________________
Ocupation:_____________________
Nearest airport:___________________
Working Identity Card/Int'l Passport:____________________

As soon as the above mentioned details are received, your payment will be
made to you via diplomatic courier delivery inaccordance to World Bank and
IMF recommendations. A diplomat with international travel immunity will be
contracted to deliver the funds at your doorstep. As soon as you read this
mail get back to me for more clarification

YOURS SINCERELY,

Dr Hassan Bello
Director Foreign Payment Department,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam