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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "drwilliamssmith@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr william nigeria <dr.williamsmith@att.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:02:53 -0800 (PST)
Subject: RE:PAYMENT
DEAR BENEFICIARY,
COMPLIMENT OF THE SEASON!!!!
THIS IS TO BRING TO YOUR URGENT NOTICE THAT YOUR OVER DUE INHERITANCE/CONTRACT PAYMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA WAS APPROVED YESTERDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE US$3.8MILLION TO YOU AFTER A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT IN COMMANDER OF THE ARMY FORCES OF NIGERIA,PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN.
YOU ARE LISTED AMONG FIVE OTHER CONTRACTORS WHOM THIER PAYMENT WAS DELAYED DUE TO SOME FRAUDLENT ACTS BY SOME CORRUPT OFFICIALS IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
THEREFORE,YOU ARE ADVISED TO FORWARD YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND BANK ACCOUNT CORDINATES FOR THE RE-PROCESSING OF YOUR PAYMENT FOR IMMEDIATELY TRANSAFER AS INSTRUCTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT.
CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY FOR FURTHER ADVISE ON HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR INHERITANCE/CONTRACT PAYMENT.
CALL ME DIRECTLY ON THIS NUMBER:+2348032301762.
CONGRATULATION!!!
SINCERELY YOURS,
DR.WILLIAM SMITH.
(CHAIRMAN COMMITTTEE ON FOREIGN CONTRACT SETTLEMENT).
COPY TO: DRWILLIAMSSMITH@YMAIL.COM
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Anti-fraud resources:
