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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:
- "your payment is being processed" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Major General A.A Adele" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <email_Adele@rediffmail.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:39:11 +1000
Subject: 29/08/2011. IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Major General A.A Adele
Chairman Payment Release/Debt Settlement Committee
Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN)
Ref: ICPSY/FGN/02341/05/AS
Immediate Attention
29/08/2011. IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Alert has been brought to us in form of petition during the auditing and closing of all financial records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it was discovered from the records of outstanding foreign Contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria in the year 2010 that your name/company is next on the list of those who will receive their fund within this first quarter of year 2011.
I wish to officially notify you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also Note that from The record in our file, your outstanding contract payment is US$5.8 Million (Five Million, Eight Hundred United States Dollars only).
Kindly re-confirm to us the information below to enable this office process and finalize your payment without further delays.
Urgently get back with me on data information needed:
Full names:
Address:
Phone #
Occupation
Contract Sum:
Contract file number and all other relevant details
As soon as the above information are received, your payment will be made process to you either via Bank to bank wire transfer or delivered to your doorstep .
NOTE:- Beneficiary are to be responsible for the deeds and Obligation guiding this transaction based on the resolution that was reached by the Incumbent Presidency.
You are also expected to notify us of your preferred mode of payment. (Master Card or Bank Wire transfer).
Endeavor to update this committee upon the receipt of your claims for record purpose.
Thanks for your understanding
NOTE: This signal is highly coded and classified and all information regarding to this should be treated as such for your own interest. You are advised to reconfirm your full details on your next emailing.
I advise that you respond immediately to the above instructions and also re-assure you of our competence and credibility.
Congratulations!.
Yours Faithfully.
Chairman Payment Release/Debt settlement Committee
Major General A.A Adele
Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN)
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Anti-fraud resources:
