|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. TUNDE LEMO" <centralbank_nig@live.com>
Reply-To: centralbak_nig@live.com
Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2011 15:12:57 +0200 (EET)
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT/INHERITANCE PAYMENT.#: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/010
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS
TINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS
TEL:234-7028815362
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT/INHERITANCE PAYMENT.#: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/010
ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY,
Did you Authorize Thomas Baker to presented document of claim, reported to
have signed by you for the release of your part-payment of ($10 Million)
Reconfirm back to me to avoid any irregularities as your payment is now ready
to be transfer ed to you bank to bank wire transfer (based on the
instructions
received this morning from the Attorney General of the Federation and the
Minister of finance).
Based on that you have been advised not to respond to any mail or fax
concerning your fund from any body who claim to be your agent as your PAYMENT
will be ready at the soonest time to be transfer as against the account
submitted by Mr Thomas Baker to you by the authority of this office.
Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:
1) Your full name_________________
2) Full Mailing Address _______________
3) Phone, fax and mobile #__________________
4)Scanned copy of int'l passport.______________________
5) Full banking details:_________________________________
With regards to your fund you are advised to follow-up instructions only from
this office below is your payment (REF.# .MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/010) any mail or
faxes without your payment ref. numbers you should disregards it.We are
sincerely sorry for all the delay in the past years.
Regards and best wishes,
MR. TUNDE LEMO
|
Anti-fraud resources:
