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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "DR. LAMIDO SANUSI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sanusilamido123@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 03:16:36 -0700
Subject: DID YOU AUTHORIZE ANYBODY TO CLAIM YOUR FUND FROM THIS BANK?

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Plot 33, Abubaka TBW.
(CBD), CADASTRAL ZONE,
ABUJA F.C.T NIGERIA.
P.M.B 0187 GARKI ABUJA,
NIGERIA.

DID YOU AUTHORIZE ANYBODY TO CLAIM YOUR FUND FROM THIS BANK?

Definitely, I know that this letter will be a surprising one to you. Firstly, I will like to introduce myself formally as the New Executive Governor of The Central Bank of Nigeria. You are been officially contacted by me today because your Inheritance Funds were Re-deposited into the "Federal Suspense Account" of CBN last month, because you did not Claim your funds as the rightful beneficiary in our corresponding bank.

Well known to all, The CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA is the mother Bank of all commercial Banks here in Nigeria This morning at about (9:00am Standard Pacific Time) I was alerted by my Secretary that Three men and a Lady were at my Office reception waiting to see me and so I told my Secretary to let them in. To my surprise they were two Canadians and one Nigerian Attorney, and they introduced themselves as (Mr. Tim Parker, Mr. Roland Gulf, both from Canada), and accompanied with them was a Nigerian Attorney with the name (Barrister Lambert Ezeka). And Miss Helen Rose.

Really these men were unexpected by me because their visit was impromptu. I had to ask them why they came to see me in person and they said that they were here to collect the Inheritance Bill Sum, which rightfully belongs to you, on your behalf. These foreigners actually claimed this beyond reasonable doubts. At this development, I asked them who authorized them to come down to Nigeria for the Collection of this Payment and they told me that you asked them to come and collect this funds on your Behalf. Infect this was the biggest shock that this Bank have ever received so far because your Inheritance funds is still in the "Federal Suspense Account" of CBN, yet you sent these men to come and collect this Funds on your behalf without notifying us.

We in this Bank do not understand why you sent these men to come and Collect your Funds on your behalf. If actually you want them to help you collect your inheritance Bill Sum, at least you should have informed me as the Executive Governor of this Bank. They actually tendered some vital documents, which proved that you actually sent them for the collection of these Funds. Honestly, it really baffles me that you took such decision without my consent.

Here is the document which they tendered to this Bank today:

1. LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION.
2. HIGH COURT INJUCTION.
3. ORDER TO RELEASE.

Actually, these documents which they tendered to this Noble Bank are a clear Proof that you sent them to Collect this Funds for you. Finally, I told them to come back by Monday morning and they promised to come back. As the Governor of this Noble Bank, I was supposed to Release this Funds to them but I refused to do so because I wanted to hear from you first.

Due to the Nature of my job, I will not want to make any mistake in releasing these funds to anyone except you whom is the recognized confide beneficiary to This Fund. Kindly clarify us on this issue before we make this Payment to these foreigners whom came on your behalf. In receipt of this confidential Letter you are required to reach Dr. Sanusi Lamido CBN governor Immediately you receive this confidential Letter.

Best Regards,

OFFICIALLY SIGNED.
DR LAMIDO SANUSI.

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