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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer into your account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- centralbanknigeria1918@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS.KATE VATH KWON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westafricabank09@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 00:11:47 +0100
Subject: IMMEDIATE FUND RELEASE NOTIFICATION
IMMEDIATE FUND RELEASE NOTIFICATION
Attn:Sir/Madam,
My name is Mrs.Kate Vath Kwon,I am the Director of Currency Operations of Central Bank of
Nigeria West Africa.
In regards to your inheritance payment of $10,000,00.00 (Ten Million United States Dollars only) which was confirmed to be true after due verification. You are hereby been notified that your inheritance funds have been programmed for immediate release into your account through our affiliate Bank.
I want you to forward to me the following immediately for processing of the fund transfer
into your account;
1. Your Full Name:
2. Residential address:
3. Your direct telephone number:
4. Name of your Bank:
5. Bank Address:
6. Your account number:
7. Account name:
As soon as the fund is transferred into your account upon receipt of the above information from you, you will be communicated accordingly. The fund will be transferred into your account within 2 working days.
Reply this email through my private email address: ( centralbanknigeria1918@yahoo.com )
Best regards,
Mrs.Kate Vath Kwon.
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Anti-fraud resources:
