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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
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• 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)
  • ",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)
  • "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)
  • "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: CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA <chwh123@live.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:08:24 -0400
Subject: UNPAID FOREIGN BENEFICIARIES.




UNPAID FOREIGN BENEFICIARIES.
FROM : GODWIN MBACHU
SENIOR MANAGER, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.

Following the protest of the International Community, The World Bank, IMF and the instruction by the President (MUSA YAR'DUA, FEDERAL REPUBLIC, NIGERIA) that all outstanding forieghn debts especially over-due contract payment should be released to the benefeciaries forthwith 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 USD$10,000,000.00.
Please re-confirm to me if this is in-line with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, Mobile amd Fax number.
3) Company name, Position 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 or Electric Telegraphic Wire Transfer from the Foreign Remittance Dept. of the Central Bank of Nigeria immediately without delay.
You are to write back immediately and state how you wish you receive your funds so that we can pay you immediately without any delay.
THANKS.
YOURS SINCERELY,
GODWIN MBACHU
SENIOR DIRECTOR
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam