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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:
  • "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)
  • "million 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)
  • "million 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)
  • "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)
  • "www.cenbank.org" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: "laisonoffice1 Gazeta.pl" <laisonoffice1@gazeta.pl>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:42:07 -0700
Subject: FINAL CONTRACT/NEXT OF KIN PAYMENT VERIFICATION


Executive Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria.
PROF CHARLES CHUKWUMA SOLUDO
website: http://www.cenbank.org
Tel: +234052778493
Private email:cscharlse@live.com <email%3Acscharlse@live.com>

FINAL CONTRACT/NEXT OF KIN PAYMENT VERIFICATION.

ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY.

Following the protest of the International Community, The World Bank, IMF
and the instruction by the President and Commander in Chief of the armed
forces (Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua) that all outstanding foreign debts especially
next of kin payment should be released to the beneficiaries forth with
unconditionally.

From the records of outstanding debts due for payment with the Federal
government of Nigeria your name was discovered as next on the list of the
outstanding, who have not received their payments. We wish to inform you
that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as
you respond to this letter. Also note that from my record in my file your
outstanding contract payment is US $6 million dollars (Six Million United
States Dollars).

Please re-confirm to me if this is online with what you have in your record
and also re-confirm to me the followings.

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of int'l passport, drivers license, or any valid ID card.

As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you in
a Certified Bank Draft from Central Bank of Nigeria within the next 48
hours.

Regards,

Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
Executive Governor, Central Bank Of Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam