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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA \(CBN\)" <barrted_ekwa@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <barrted_ekwa@qatar.io>
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:38:32 -0800
Subject: CHANGE OF ACCOUNT PARTICULARS ON YOUR CONTRACT/INHERITANCE FILE BY MR. AURTHUR G.POUCHE.

Barrister Ted Ekwa
Director Legal Department Central Bank of Nigeria
 
Dear Sir/Ma,
 
CHANGE OF ACCOUNT PARTICULARS ON YOUR CONTRACT/INHERITANCE FILE BY MR. AURTHUR G.POUCHE.
 
My name is Barrister Ted Ekwa Director Legal Department Central Bank of Nigeria following the directives received from the office of the president, federal republic of Nigeria, as a result of petitions and counter petitions by foreign contractors over non-payment of their contract/ inheritance claims, this office has been appointed to look into all overdue payments of clients yet to be released for verification, vetting and immediate payment. Your name is among the list of beneficiaries released for verification and immediate payment. Be informed that there are different accounts submitted for payment by your local representatives in conjunction with the KTT director, central bank of Nigeria. We do not know which of the accounts to effect your payment.
 
Therefore, you are hereby required to verify the following immediately: -did your broker debt to one Mr. Arthur G. Pouche, from United States of America? Did you sign any "deed of assignment" in his favor, thereby making him the current beneficiary with the following account details? Wells Fargo Bank, n.a.420 Montgomery Street san Francisco ca 94104 bank routing number: 121 000 248 bank account number: 0832833016.
You are required as a matter of urgency to confirm the legitimacy of the above claim and kindly give us reason why you decided to affect the above change of account. if you are not aware of this claim, please confirm to us immediately by stating your authentic account details, for proper remittance of your fund.
 
Also required are documents authenticating your claim? Due to the long delay this payment has suffered, be rest assured that immediately these payment irregularities are cleared, you will receive your fund remittance analysis for clearance of funds into your account.
 
Note that we are bound to recognize Mr. Arthur G. Pouche claim, if you fail to promptly respond to this inquiry following the deed of assignment he submitted to claim this payment. Make sure you get back to me as soon as possible so that the necessary action will be taken immediately. Once you receive this message call me on this number: and respond accordingly to enable me start processing your payment. All correspondence should be channeled through telephone and e-mail only for security reasons.
 
I remain yours faithfully,
 
Barrister Ted Ekwa
Director Legal Department Central Bank of Nigeria

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