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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "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 state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "charles c. soludo" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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 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.
- +2348038286333 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "cbnpayunit@terra.es" <cbnpayunit@terra.es>
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:56:51 +0200 (MEST)
Subject: Attn: Contractor, Contract Payment Notification
From The Desk of Prof. Charles C. Soludo
Executive Governor,
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
12/16 Garki-Abuja
Abuja-Nigeria.
Tel: + 234-803-828-6333
=20
ATTN: HONOURABLE CONTRACTOR,
=20
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT.CONTRACT:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009
=20
Following the protest of the International Community, The World Bank, IMF a=
nd the instruction by the President Umar Musa Yar'Adua of Federal Republic =
of Nigeria that all outstanding foreign debts should be released to the ben=
eficiaries forthwith unconditionally.
=20
Now, from the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the G=
overnment of Nigeria. Your name and company was discovered as next on the l=
ist of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments.
=20
Therefore, I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and wi=
ll be released to you as soon as you respond to this message. Also note tha=
t from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment with us is US=
$35.7M (Thirty Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand United State Dollars).
=20
Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:
1. Your full name
2. Phone, Fax and Mobile
3.Company's Name, Position and Address
4. Profession, age and marital status
5. Drivers License or any I.D
=20
As soon as this information=E2=80=99s are received, your payment will be ma=
de to you in a Certified Bank Draft or through Electronic Wire Transfer (KT=
T) from Central Bank of Nigeria to your nominated bank account or a copy of=
your draft will be given to you to take to your bank for immediate confirm=
ation of your contract sum.
=20
PLEASE REPLY TO: cbnpayunit@walla.com
=20
Regards,
PROF CHARLES C.SOLUDO
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).
OFFICE LINE: +234-8038286333 =20
Ahora también puedes acceder a tu correo Terra desde el móvil=
.
Infórmate pinchando aquí.
Anti-fraud resources:
