419 scam: "OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT"<PAYMENT@presidency.ng.gov> CONTACT US NOW

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "cost of transfer" (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. )
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "notarization fees" (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. )
- "abuja" (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.
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.
- +2348039701100 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- awillard@financier.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <goodluckj@execs.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:49:29 -0700
Subject: CONTACT US NOW

Office of the President
State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja Nigeria.
Telephone/Fax: +234 803 9701100

Good Governance & Sustainable Economic Development

Ref: FGN-WB/SV1099

Dear: Sir,

Re:Immediate US$121 Million Payment Notification

Your information have been submitted, Approved and enlisted in respect of your Contract Inheritance sums above owed to you which you have failed to claim because of either non compliance to due process or because of your doubts of the reality of your genuine payment, be assured that you are legal beneficiary of the above Approved funds and will receive your total funds only on payment of the cost of transfer as your funds will hit your account in full( No deduction).

We wish to bring to you the solution to this overdue problems, right now we have arranged your payment through direct wire transfer into your nominate Bank Account,The whole exercise will take us approximately 24hours from the date we receive payment of $860 for wire transfer, handling charges,stamp duty and notarization fees. Do not hesitate to comply with this directives, request the terms of making the payment of $860 only for final completion of this transaction in your favor.This transaction have ultimatum of 7 working days because of our upcoming 2011 General Election and transition to new government by 29th May, 2011.

Meanwhile , we advise you to discontinue with any other office/ Dubious person(s) contacting you in respect of this transaction (both local or international)as we are in full control of your payment. This is the supreme Executive office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.Please do not respond to their messages/calls.

If you have made changes of either of your information including Bank Account, please notify us immediately to avoid misdirection of funds/information. Please kindly reconfirm your current/ valid address, Telephone, Cellphone and Fax numbers including your Bank Accounts where you will like your funds transferred.

Thanks for your anticipated Co-operation,

Dr. Arma Willard (PA)
Email: awillard@financier.com

For;

H.E. Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR).
President and Commander in-chief.
Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Presidency is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on the authorities & persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Copyright © 2010: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA. All rights reserved.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam