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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Godwin emefiele" <claimscenter1010@live.com>
Reply-To: drdavidcagedr-david@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 10:02:18 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Urgent (Your Compensation Fund)
Hello Dear, I wish to inform you that all
matters relating to the release of this payment is now under my control
and supervision. This development has become necessary due to the
activities of unpatriotic government/CBN officials and impostors who keep
on frustrating every effort to settle our clients by making requests for
unauthorized fees and levies from them. We sincerely apologize
for any delay you might have encountered in the past; your payment is now
100% Guaranteed. I am Dr Godwin Emefiele the newly appointed Governor CBN.
I was mandated by the President Federal Republic Of Nigeria in conjunction
with the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the Senate Committee on Foreign
Debts Reconciliation and Implementation Panel on
Contract/inheritance/compensation funds to complete the entire unpaid
Contract/inheritance/lottery fund. You are required as a matter of urgency
to reconfirm your information below for verification and immediate payment
within 24 hours.
*** Full Name: *** Address: ***
Mobile Number: *** Bank Name: *** Bank Address: *** Bank
Account Number: *** Swift Code: To this effect, the sum
of $10.7 Million (TEN MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) has approved for immediate transfer to your nominated bank
account. Kindly get back to me ASAP. Best
Regards, Dr Godwin Emefiele Governor CBN NB: KINDLY NOTE
THAT SOME PEOPLE (FRAUDSTARS) HAVE STARTED MAKING FORGERY OF MY GOOD NAME.
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