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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:
- "activation fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
- "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)
- "million 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)
- "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)
- "charles 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)
- "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.
- +2348038402714 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA" <centralbankonline@mail.mn>
Reply-To: centralbank69@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:57:59 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION; FRIEND,
IMMEDIATE INHERITANCE/ BENEFICIARY PAYMENT #:
MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009.
ATTENTION; FRIEND,
From the records We Discover due for payment with the federal government of
Nigeria. Your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the
outstanding people who have not received their payments. I wish to inform
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 my record in my file your
outstanding payment is us$2.5 million dollars(Two million five hundred
thousand united states dollars).
Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record
and also re-confirm to me the followings for record verification and proper
documentation to avoid future embarassment.
1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) company name,position and address.
4)profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of int'l passport.As soon as this informations are received, your
payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft Or Wire Transfer from
central bank of Nigeria and a copy will be given to you for you to take to
your bank and confirm it.
Kindly be Informed that an Official Account Activation fees (GBPS 210) must
be paid to secure An International Transfer pin code activation Access .
Once this is done within 48hours , you shall receive your fund in your Bank
Account , any delay to this , you will have to blame your self and not this
office , you are therefore adviced to call me Immediately you receive this
email .
Best Regards,
Prof Charles Soludo.
Executive Governor,
Central Bank Of Nigeria.
+234 80 3840 2714.
Anti-fraud resources:
