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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:
- "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.
- sanusicbnboss@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "dr. lamido sanusi" <mecryjames@att.net>
Reply-To: sanusicbnboss@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:40:53 -0800 (PST)
Subject: private memo
Hello dear
How are you and your family? Hope everyone is doing well. This is DR.Lamido Sanusi governor central bank of Nigerian (CBN). I remember I personally endorsed on your contract file for your funds to be paid to you and since you received your funds you never bother calling me again or send an email to at least show appreciation.I have not asked you to give me a cut from your funds.
Well that is by the way as that is not the reason why I have contacted you.
I need a favor from you this time; I want you to assist me through the use of a good estate agent in your country to look for a good house for me to buy. I want a four bedroom bungalow flat of a size able capacity in a serene area; I need at least five of such size with a very spacious compound.
Please this is your turn to assist me as you know one good turn deserves another, so please just do the search for me and get back to me on my usual private email address sanusicbnboss@yahoo.com I will appreciate if you get back to me on time and please let it be between me and you, as a public figure I do not wish to be news.
Waiting to hear from you.
Thank you.
DR. Lamido Sanusi
Email:sanusicbnboss@yahoo.com
CBN BOSS.
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Anti-fraud resources:
