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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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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:
- 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:
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- c_b_w_a_plc@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- (governor central bank west africa plc) e-mail:( c_b_w_a_plc@hotmail.com ) ( westafrica_c@yahoo.fr ) phone (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Lilian Wisdom <bvail2000@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: c_b_w_a_plc@hotmail.fr
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:02:09 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Transfer of your $1.2millionusd from central bank of west africa plc.
My Dear,
This is to inform you that your fund in certified Bank Draft valued the
sum of $1.2Million USD has been deposited in Central Bank Of Weast Africa Plc Benin
for direct wire transfer to your bank account. You are required to
contact the bank through their below cantact information to enable
transfer your funds immediately.
Bank Name: Central Bank West Africa Plc Benin
Contact person: Mr. Edmond F.Godwin (Governor Central Bank West Africa Plc)
E-mail:( c_b_w_a_plc@hotmail.com ) ( westafrica_c@yahoo.fr )
Phone 0022998812428or0022993157255
Therefore you are now required to foward the below informations to the
Bank through this email address given to you
1.Your Full Name:
2.Your Full Address:
3.Your Beneficiary Name:
4.Your Bank Name :
5.Your Bank Address:
6.Your Account Number:
7.Your Routing Number: Swift:
8.Your Direct/Office Telephone Number:
9.Your Date of Birth :
10.Your Age and Current Occupation :
11.A Copy of Your Picture or Identity;
12. Gender:
13.Your Martial Status:
Please forward the informations to them now and let me know when you do so,
Please make sure you dont make any mistake with those information so
that they will not transfer your funds to a wrong person. Waiting to
hear from you as soon as you contact the bank today.
Thanks,
Mrs Lilian Wisdom.
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Anti-fraud resources:
