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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.

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

Fraud email example:

From: "Central Bank of Nigeria" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cenbkng@consultant.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2022 01:21:38 -0800
Subject: Urgent Confirmation is needed from you

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
Samuel Accentual Street,
Gariki 11, P.M.B. 187, Gariki,
Abuja- Nigeria.

Attn:Beneficiary,

CHANGE OF BENEFICIARY ON THE PAYMENT OF US$5,000,000:00 (FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DOLLARS) FROM CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA IN YOUR FAVOR.

This morning Mr. TIMMY CROSS came to the office claiming that you have instructed him to come and receive the payment on your behalf with some representatives. Please as a matter of urgency, you are required to verify the following information and inform us if you are aware or know anything about this.

I have asked them to come back as they did not provide any power of attorney from you which will prove that you truly sent them, This was to enable me to contact you to verify how genuine these people are to you.

1)- Did you instruct one Mr. TIMMY CROSS of USA Florida group Ltd. whose information is below, to claim and receive the payment on your behalf?

2)- Did you sign any 'Deed of Assignment' in his favor thereby making him the current beneficiary with the following account details;

Bank Name: CitiBank N.A
Address: 388 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10013 United States
A/C Number: 114-1025-567
Account Name: Timmy Cross Group Ltd
Swift Code: CITIUS33XXX

We shall be waiting for your urgent and prompt confirmation to this claim.

Sincerely,

Mr. Godwin Emefiele
Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

Anti-fraud resources: