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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "into 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)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cbn.nigeria2009@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:46:23 -0800
Subject: IMMEDIATE PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
>From The Desk of
Mallam Sanusi Lamido,
Executive Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria..
Ref: CBN/009/1RD/CBX/011-09
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Attention:
This is to acknowledge the receipt of your email response.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (C.B.N) has noted that you have not authorized the release of your USD$20 million to two foreigners (Mr. Tim Parker and Mr. Rowland Gulf) who visited my office last week.
Kindly, note that your USD$ 20 million have been approved for immediate transfer into your nominated bank account in your country once you follow my directives and instruction.
Further more,You will be required to re-confirm the following information to enable the Central Bank of Nigeria begin the process of the transfer of your USD$20 million into your bank account.
1. Your full name
2. Your private Telephones number and fax numbers.
3. Your direct contact address.
4. Your Marital Status.
5. Your Occupation.
6. Your Banking information where you intend your funds to be remitted into.
Upon the receipt of these information, the Central Bank of Nigeria will begin the process of the transfer of your USD$20 million into your bank account.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Yours Faithfully,
MALLAM SANUSI LAMIDO
EXECUTIVE-GOVERNOR
CENTRAL-BANK-OF-NIGERIA
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Anti-fraud resources:
