419 scam: Central Bank of Nigeria <cbnprepaidagent@collector.org> Adjustment of All Fees By Central Bank of Nigeria

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

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.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- ",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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: Central Bank of Nigeria <cbnprepaidagent@collector.org> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:19:05 -0400
Subject: Adjustment of All Fees By Central Bank of Nigeria

Central Bank of Nigeria
Address: Zaria Street, Garki II, Nigeria.
P.M.B. 0187, Garki, Nigeria

The CBN Email Disclaimer

This is to notify you that a meeting was held today among the Board of Directors of Central Bank of Nigeria and other top Government Officials to re-adjust all fees demanded from all foreign beneficiaries.

However, you were asked to pa the total sum of $450 for the release of your outstanding payment of $5,500,000.00. But after the meeting, they concluded that the fee has to be reduced to 15%, meaning you’re to pay the total sum of $68 as the acceptance fee so we can send all documents to you today and transfer your fund by tomorrow morning.

We vehemently advice you send down the $68 via the western union account information below so all necessary action can be taken for us to remit the fund into your bank account tomorrow without further payment.

SENT BY:
SENT TO: ORAKWUE .C. MICHAEL
LOCATION: LAGOS, NIGERIA
TEXT QUESTION: FOR
TEXT ANSWER: ACCEPT
AMOUNT: $68
MTCN

Also re-confirm the bank details you sent to me earlier to avoid mistake when making your transfer tomorrow.

Signed
Head Corporate Affairs

Permission is granted to reproduce or cite portions herein, if proper attribution is given to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
This Site is designed and maintained by the Web Team of the Central Bank of Nigeria ©2006, Central Bank of Nigeria. All rights reserved.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam