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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:
  • "huge amount of money" (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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
  • "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
  • "charles soludo" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "ZENITH BANK PLC" <infodesk202@gmail.com>
Reply-To: emegodwin.zenithbank@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:20:12 +0100
Subject: GET BACK TO ME


ZENITH BANK PLC
Head Office Branch
Plot 84, Ajose Adeogun Street
Victoria Island
Lagos, Nigeria
Accrued Interest Payment of $4.700,000.00
Dear Sir,

It is indeed my pleasure to write this letter to you which I believe will be
a surprise to you as we have not met before. I am deeply sorry if I have in
any
way disturbed your privacy and please forgive this unusual manner of
contacting you; but this particular letter is exceptional and of very
private nature.
There is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in
respect of this email because of the fact that so many individuals have
taken advantage of
Internet to perpetuate their nefarious activities,thereby making it
extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get
attention
and recognition.There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly
understood, but it is my duty to write and reach out to you.

A Huge amount of money was deposited in this bank by Prof. Charles C.Soludo
governor central bank of Nigeria in your name the original amount
was($10.7m)
the money has been withdrawn by Prof.Charles Soludo leaving an accrued
interest balance of $4.700,000.00(four million seven
hundred United States dollars) behind. Last week two staff of central bank
of Nigeria came to withdraw the balance of $4.700,000.00 but our bank
refused.
This bank, after much deliberation decided to source for the beneficiary Of
this fund whose name the money was deposited for claims.

Consequently, you are advice to indicate your interest to claim this fund by
sending to us with immediate effect your full home address,scaned copy of
your
international passport or drivers license for proper identification and your
direct telephone numbers.You are also advised as amatter of urgency to
contact
the foreign operation manager, zenith bank Plc, Dr Godwin Emefiele for the
release of the fund.


Dr.Godwin Emefiele.
Foreign Remittance Department
Zenith Bank Plc.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam