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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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "my direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "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 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.
- amadi_benson@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR <ccbanknig@cbn.org>
Reply-To: ccbanknig@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sat, 07 Aug 2010 04:10:08 +0200
Subject: (no subject)
--
FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
MALLAM SANUSI LAMIDO AMINU
Fax: +234-1-4726566
OFFICE +234-1-8753458
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT.CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/010.
This is to inform you that your diplomat has arrived with your cash
consignment box value 10.7million dollars in El Paso international airport
Texas USA. as their transit
I want you to know that you have 24 hours to call the airport 9152396297
then ask to speak to the diplomatic in person of Amadi Benson in the United
States, let us know if you are still interested to get your consignment
delivery to you today? as they have been waiting to hear from you to help
them complete this delivery to you
right now the diplomatic have arrival at Texas United State with you
consignment box call them now to help them for clearance of your package
from the airport
you are to call the airport with this number above and ask to speak with
the diplomatic in person Amadi Benson or contact him through this email
amadi_benson@yahoo.comcall them and get back to me
Note; that you must call me as soon as you receive this email for more
discursion, my direct line is +234-7083192083. Also reconfirm your full
current address and valid phone number to the Diplomatic this email:
amadi_benson@yahoo.com once you receive this email to enable him to deliver
your cash consignment to you without any further delay or mistake.
I appreciate your good sympathetic and collaboration, Hope hearing from
you swiftly.
CONGRATULATIONS.
MALLAM SANUSI LAMIDO AMINU,
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
OFFICE +234-7083192083
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Anti-fraud resources:
