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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- 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.
- cbndirectorpaymentunit2010@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Alhaji Amadu Hamsa" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cbndirectorpaymentunit2010@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 05:53:37 -0700
Subject: Are you aware of this sudden change in your payment file?.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS
TINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS
TEL: +234-8098053293
FROM DESK OF:
ALHAJI AMADU HAMZA
INTERNATIONAL FUND,
REMITTANCE DEPT.
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
Meanwhile, we bring to your notice of information submitted by Mr. Helmut of MES Company Gmbh, with an application to receive payment of $25.5m on your behalf. You are advice to verify the information and inform us if you are aware of this sudden change in your payment file.
1. Did you instruct one Mr. Helmut of MES Company Gmbh to claim and receive the payment on your behalf?
2. Did you sign any “Deed of Assignment" in his favor thereby making him the new beneficiary to your fund with his company's bank account details below?
MES Company Gmbh
Wirecard Bank Germany
Routing 51230800
Iban code: DE70512308000010013931
Swift/ BIC Code WIREDEM1X
Account NO. 10013931
This message is very important as approval granted for payment is not reversible and this office or my government will not be held responsible or entertains any legal action from you or any party after payment is received by Mr. Helmut of MES Company Gmbh on your behalf.
I wait to hear from you immediately.
Kindly indicate and get back to me or you call me on my direct number +234-8098053293 for more details.
REGARDS
Alhaji Amadu Hamsa
International Fund Remittance Dept.,
Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN]
Direct email; cbndirectorpaymentunit2010@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
