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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:
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
  • "charles soludo" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "charles c. 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)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348029476816 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Prof. Charles Soludo" <soludocbn207@gmail.com>
Reply-To: soludocbn204@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:50:58 +0100
Subject: RE: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT #: AV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/008


CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIA ISLAND,
OFFICE OF GOVERNOR CBN.

FROM THE DESK OF:
PROFESSOR CHARLES SOLUDO,
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.

ATTN: Honorable Contractor,

RE: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT #: AV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/008

On behalf of the entire Staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal
Government of Nigeria in collaboration with IMF and World Bank. We apologize
for the delay of your Contract Payment and all the Inconveniences you
encountered while pursuing this payment.

However, from the Records of outstanding Contractors due for payment with
the Federal Government of Nigeria, your Name and Company was discovered as
next on the list of the outstanding Contractors who have not yet received
their payments.

I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and your
payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you
respond to this letter.

Also note that from the record in my file, your outstanding Contract Payment
is S$10,700,000.00 (Ten Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars).

Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:

Your Full Name: ______________________________

Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code not P.O.BOX

Name of City of Residence:_______________________________

Country:____________________________________

Direct Telephone Number: ___________________________________

Mobile Number:____________________________________

Nearest airport:________________________________

Working Identity Card/Int'l Passport:________________________________

Occupation:________________ Position_______________

As soon as the above mentioned details are received, your payment will be
made to you via diplomatic courier delivery in accordance to World Bank and
IMF recommendations. A diplomat with international travel immunity will be
contracted to deliver the funds at your door-step.

YOURS SINCERELY,

PROFESSOR CHARLES C. SOLUDO.
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).
FUND DELIVERY NOTIFICATION
Tell: +234-8029476816.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam