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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:

• 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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "keep it confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "charles 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)
  • "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: "Prof Charles soludo" <all0cs8@gala.net>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:47:17 -0700
Subject: YOUR IMMEDIATE PAYMENT


YOUR IMMEDIATE PAYMENT
From the Desk Of:
Prof Charles Soludo
Executive Governor (CBN)
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT
REF: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/06
[OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR}

Urgent Attention Needed From You.

CONTRACT#:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009.


From the Records of outstanding contractors due for Payment with the
Federal Government of Nigeria, your Name was attached as the next of
kin to one of our late contractor. your payment has been discovered as
next
on the list of payment. So I 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 be advised that because of too many contractors that I have to pay at
this final quarter of the year, you will only receive the sum of
$10,000,000 USD. So that I will be able to pay other contractors, but my
promise is that I will make sure that you receive your balance later.


Kindly re-confirm to me the following:


1. Your fullname:..................................................
2. Phone,fax and mobile
#:......................................................
3. Company name, and
address:...........................................................
4. Profession, age and marital
status:............................................................


As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you
in a certified bank draft directly from Central Bank of Nigeria and note
that you must be at least 21 years of age to claim this fund and if not,
your money will be kept till you reach that age. Reply me as soon as you
receive this letter for furtherdiscussion Get back to me immediately.

If you realise that you do not know anything about this, you and i can
work it out hand in hand and have this money transferred to you and i keep
it confidential.

Waiting for your urgent response.

THANKS
Prof. Charles Soludo

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam