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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:
- 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 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.
- cbndirectorofcurrencydept@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: CHARLES IGWE <charlesigweuba@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:48:28 +0100
Subject: URGENT
Sir,
As a matter ofurgency the scamer's have been stoped and you will be
receiving the fund shortly.
You are hereby adviced to quickly contact the office of the payment
office Dr. Felix Mark,Director of Currency Deptment(D.C.D) of Central
Bank of
Nigeria CBN.E-MAIL:cbndirectorofcurrencydept@yahoo.com
Telephone number +234 8169601904 with information stated below.............
1) Your Receiving Banking Information
2) Your Driver's License or international pass port copy for reference
of your ID.
3) Your Telephone Number for immediate direction of your fund at your reach.
4) Age and Sex
Please do contact the office immediately and get to me for
recordings as to enable direct you more on this development.
Your's Faithfully,
Mr John Paul
Director Information Dept on Foreign Contract Funds,FRN.
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Anti-fraud resources:
