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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
  • "diplomatic immunity"
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "hundred thousand united state 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)
  • "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "diplomatic immunity" ("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)
  • "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: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <professorcs@sify.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:48:55 -0500
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION



Attention: - Sir/Madam,

PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

Sequel to the meeting between the Federal Executive council and the Central Bank of Nigeria on Monday being 14th of October 2008 concerning the debt owed by the country to listed foreigners in respect to their payment fund.

So have we decided to release Five Million Three Hundred Thousand United State Dollars in your favour as compensation for the delay and inconveniencies in releasing your fund.

However, we wish to bring to your notice that your profile is still reflecting in our central programme as unpaid Debt while auditing was going on in the last quarter of the fiscal year.

Meanwhile, today according to the instructions of Mr. President Umaru Musa Yaradua and the Office of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria Have concluded that the fund should be release to you without further delay, so you are advice to choose any one of this option below how your fund will be released to you.

1: Through Telegraphic Transfer.2: Through Diplomatic Immunity Payment by cash.3: Through Certified Bank Draft.

Note that your urgent compliance to these directives will be in your Favour.
Thank you for your understanding.

Regards,Professor Charles SoludoExecutive GovernorCentral Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam