|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Ngwu Ngwo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ngwo@yahoo.cn>
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 11:39:19 -0700
Subject: YOUR FUND IN CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.....
Attention: Beneficiary,
After waiting to hear from you or your partner for a long time now, I decided to make this direct approach to you as my new resolution in other not to let it be if I have anything in mind against you. I do not know if you have asked yourself why each time the release of this fund is approved, all of a sudden, your fund will be stopped or one problem or the other will come up if you have not asked this question or you do not know, this is an opportunity for me to tell you.
I am willing and ready to work with you and ensure you receive your fund. If you agree to work with me i will do everything possible to ensure you receive your fund and you will compensate me for my effort as the fund is transferred.
Thanks
Mr. Ngwu Ngwo
Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN).
|
Anti-fraud resources:
