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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- 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.
- barrister.markanthony913@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "FROM CBN: PAYMENT APPROVAL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <economicadviser.presidency@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:19:59 -0800
Subject: RE:YOUR PAYMENT APPROVED FOR TRANSFER
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
LEGAL SERVICES /AUDIT DEPARTMENT.
Our Ref: CBN/OHG/OXD27/11/2013
Payment Code#: GODTC009.
PAYMENT FILE: CBN/UN.ABJ/10-13.
TEL:+2347040114260.
RE: OVERDUE CONTRACT/INHERITANCE PAYMENT
Attention Please.
In view of recent reorganization exercise and upgrading process of Foreign Overdue Contract and Compensation Payment that took place in the Central Bank Of Nigeria, and Federal Ministry Of Finance, I inquire to know if you have abandoned your Federal Ministry of Finance {FMF} approved sum of $2.5m.
Your payment file code# is GODTC009.and must be quoted on your response to this message or we will not attend to you. I will therefore appreciate it if you can clear me with your correct/authentic information/details to energize me in processing your
payment within [3] working days. Accord me with the following here under stated.
1. Address:
2. Attach copy of your identification:
3. Your telephone.
4. Your full names.
Finally, be clearly informed that the total amount here stated is already approved in your name as drawn from your original approved outstanding contract/inheritance payment is with the Central Bank of Nigeria {CBN}.Do mail me back on receipt of this message for further clarifications
Yours In Services,
Barrister Mark Anthony.
Director, Legal Services.
Central Bank Of Nigeria.
barrister.markanthony913@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
