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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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)
- "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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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 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)
- "lagos" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "shaysom" <shaysom@suttonlea.org>
Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:49:21 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA TINUBU SQUARE,
VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS-NIGERIA
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/05
Email: payoff4@live.com
Date:21/7/2008
Dear Sir/Madam
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
2006 that your name and company is next on the list of
those who will received
their fund.
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
USD$30,500,000.00
(Thirty Million Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars.
Kindly re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you
have in your
record and also re-confirm the information below to enable
this office proceed
andfinalize your fund remittance without further delays.
1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of Drivers License I .D.
As soon as the above information are received, your payment
will be made
available to you via an international certified bank draft,
which will be
delivered to your doorstep for your confirmation. You should
call my direct
number as soon as you receive this letter for further
discussion and more
clarification
.
Best regards,
Prof. Charles C. Soludo
Executive Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Anti-fraud resources: