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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: "Mr. Tony Adamu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ta2851465@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2023 09:54:32 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION Ref Code: 0150223

Central Bank of Nigeria,
Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way
Central Business District,
Cadastral Zone,
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory,
P.M.B. 0187, Garki Abuja.
Nigeria.

Dear Sir/Ma,

Hurry now and claim your funds with the Central Bank or your funds will be confiscated by the wicked officials of the bank. My name is Tony Adamu I am 60 years old, and I just started working with Central Bank. I came across your file marked X and your released disk painted RED I took time to study it and tried to find out why your fund has not been released to you.

The evil officials here can never tell you the truth that they won't release the funds to you; instead they allow you to spend your money unnecessarily. I should not be a justification for inequality this is why I do not intend to work here forever. I can help you claim your funds if you can certify me of my security and assure me that you would settle with me after you have received your payment.

I must do this because you need to know the status of your inheritance funds and cause for the delay. This is like a Mafia setting and you may not understand because you are far away. The only document needed to release this fund to you is the Original Certificate of non-residual which will be tendered to any of your Internal Revenue Service IRS for clearance of the transferred amount in your account. Once the non-residual Certificate is presented your funds will immediately be released and subsequently reflected in your bank account within 24 hours.

The only authorized and sincere person who will issue you the Original Documents is Dr. Babatunde Victor Adeniran. I will give you his contact as soon as I get a response from you. While you will be writing or communicating with him through phone or email, you must indicate to him that your file has been marked X with color Red so he will be able to recognize your file.

Do get back to me ASAP if you are still interested in claiming your funds, you will be guided on the process

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Tony Adamu
(Secretary To The Governor Central Bank Of Nigeria)

Anti-fraud resources: