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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: "Central Bank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr_godwin_emefiele@myself.com>
Date: Sat, 9 May 2015 23:45:38 -0700
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF MR. GODWIN EMEFIELE. EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)

FROM THE DESK OF MR. GODWIN EMEFIELE.
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
OUR REF: CBN/OHG/OXD1/2015
 
EMAIL: mr_godwin_emefiele@myself.com
Phone: +234-7010581369.
 
YOUR REF:
TELEX: CENBANK.
PAYMENT FILE: CBN/FCUS/BEN/015
 
 
            CBN DEBT PAYMENT NOTICE OF YOUR FUNDS
 
Attn: Fund Beneficiary.
 
Sir/Madam,
 
My name is Mr. Godwin Emefiele the new Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Executive Chairman of "E.C.D.R". I discovered your name and email address (in the Central Computer among the list of unpaid contractors, inheritance next of kin and lotto beneficiaries that was originated from Africa (Nigerian Government) Europe, Asia plus Middle East, Americans) among the list of individuals and companies that your unpaid fund has been located to a suspense account.
 
Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a payment of $10.5 Million and has been approved already for Payment. Last Monday two foreigners (Mr. Tim Parker and Mr. Rowland Gulf) visited my office on behalf of one Mr. Jesus Martinez Cardona that he sent them to come and represent him in your stead to inform me that they are your Representatives from United State, whom has been working with the CBN as a beneficiary since.
 
We in Central 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 contract fund, at least you should have notified us promptly, as the new 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 our consent here.
 
Here are the Document which they tendered to this Bank today:
 
1. LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION
2. 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 Next week 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/verify from you first.
 
Due to the Nature of my job, I will not want to make any mistake in Releasing this Funds to anyone except you, whom is the Recognized Bona-fide Beneficiary to this Funds.
 
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 email this Bank immediately you receive this Confidential Letter.
 
OFFICIALLY SIGNED by:
MR.GODWIN EMEFIELE
Private Email: mr_godwin_emefiele@myself.com
 

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