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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:
  • "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)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "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)
  • ",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)
  • ",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)
  • "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)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned 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: =?utf-8?q?Prof=20Charles=20Soludo?= <soludo_charles20001@yahoo.com.co>
Reply-To: soludo9009charles@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 02:38:57 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR FUNDS CLAIM


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:soludo_charles20001@yahoo.com.co



- PROF.CHUKWUMA C. SOLUDO EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS-NIGERIA Attn: BeneficiaryFollowing series of petitions and complaints received from the International Monetary Funds (IMF) about Nigerians on your behalf and based on our own investigation on foreign payment matters, we are glad to inform you that we are aware of the illegal contact/dealing made to you by some impersonators claiming to be Attorneys, Bank Officials and Directors of different Offices in the Nigerian Government. Recently, we received a petition that you spent so much money on several occasion to these people. You are therefore advised to stop dealing with these people as they are trying to divert your funds from the records of outstanding CONTRACTORS / INHERITANCE due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria, your name / company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors/Inheritors who have not received their payments.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 note that from my record and the file submitted to my office by the Office of the United Nation Monitoring Unit, London your outstanding contract / inheritance payment is Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$12,500,000.00). But it has been approved by the Federal Government of Nigerian in collaboration with the United Nation's Monitoring Unit, London, to pay you the sum of Ten Million United States Dollars (US$10,000,000.00) for this Second quarterpayments of this fiscal year. And hopeful to pay the remaining balance within first quarter of next year. Therefore, prior to this payment arrangement, you are hereby requested to re-confirm to this office the following information:1) Your full names and address................... 2) Phone, fax and mobile #....................... 3) Company's name, position and address.......... 4) Profession,sex,age and marital status......... 5) Working Id/Int'l passport copy................ As soon as the above stated informations are received, your payment will be made to you in a Certified Bank Draft or transferred to your nominated Bank account through international Telegraphic Transfer (TT) directly from Central Bank of Nigeria. And thereafter, a copy of the transfer slip will be given to you for you're up taking to your Bank for confirmation. Note that the earlier you respond to this mail, the better for immediate transfer of your over due contract funds to yournominated bank account Thanks, and we regret any inconveniences this might have caused you. Regards,Prof. Chukwuma C. Soludo Executive Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam