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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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.
- 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.
- doveofall@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "JERRY CAMPBELL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <doveofall@rediffmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2010 07:57:18 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION ADVICE
PAYMENT NOTIFICATION ADVICE
Date: - November 26th, 2010
ATTN: BENEFICIARY
Note: Direct your response to the below private email address of Dr.Olusegun O.Aganga the new Honorable Minister of Finance for quicker deliberation on the release of your overdue payment.
I am Mr. JERRY CAMPBELL Senior Special Assistance (SSA) to the President of Nigeria Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. I was directed to contact you because of the information from Central Bank of Nigeria over the visit to the CBN Governor by a Lady who said that she came to collect your fund on your behalf.
At this development, she was asked who authorized her to come down to Nigeria to receive this Payment and she told him that you AUTHORIZED her to come and collect these Funds on your Behalf due to your inability to pay for the expenses for the release of your fund to you.
We do not understand why you should send this lady to come and Collect your Funds on your behalf. If actually you sent her to receive your fund on your behalf, you should have informed the Minister and the Executive Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria officially.
Note that she tendered some Vital Documents which proved that you actually sent her for the Collection of these Funds. These Documents which she tendered to CBN are a clear Proof that you sent her to Collect this Funds on your behalf.
You are advised to clarify this issue with the office of the Finance Minster through the stated email: doveofall@rediffmail.com
Yours Faithfully,
MR. JERRY CAMPBELL
Senior Special Assistance (SSA).
To President Goodluck Jonathan.
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Anti-fraud resources:
