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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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "charles soludo" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lamidosanusi207@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: "Dr.Sanusi Lamido Sanusi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cbnmai207@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2011 23:30:20 +0100
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT CONTRACT #: AV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/2011
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIAISLAND LAGOS NIGERIA
FEDE RAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
From the Desk Of:
Dr.Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
Executive Governor (CBN)
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT
REF: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/09
Direct line. +234-803-243 6325
[OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR]
Attention:
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT CONTRACT #: AV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/2011
Sorry for late reply the point is that I traveled down to Abuja our
Capital territory for official meeting with Mr. President Federal Republic
of Nigeria and Dr. John Richard the pay master general. and
United Nations Secretary Well, fromthe instruction I received from Mr. President he cancel your payment by Telegraphic wire transfer through our corresponding Bank (UNITED BANK OF AFRICA) because of the problem with our former Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Professor Charles Soludo
To your notice, you will receive your approved funds by cash payment
through Diplomatic Courier Service so you are advice to re-confirm
below information to avoid wrong delivery.
(1). your full name and Address:---------------------
(2) Your telephone and Mobile phone:------------------------ ------
(3) Your fax:-------------------------- --
(4) Present occupation and Age:-------------------------- ---
(5). A copy of your Identity Card:------------------------- -------------
As soon as we receive the above information from you today, I will
send all the legal documents to you for more clarification.
Make sure you get back to me immediately before clossing of office today.
GET BACK TO ME
THANKS
YOURS SINCERELY,
Dr.Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
Governor Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN)
Direct Line +234-8O3-243 6325
E-mail:lamidosanusi207@live.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
