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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: "Dr. Lamido Sanusi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr_lamido03@live.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2012 01:39:42 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY.

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
TINUBU SQUARE, LAGOS- NIGERIA.
Our Ref: CBN/OHG/OXD1/2011
TELEX: CENBANK.
ATTN: BENEFICIARY,
 
PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR FUNDS.
 
Definitely, I know that this letter will be a surprising one to you.Firstly, I will like to introduce myself formally as Professor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, The Executive Governor of The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).You are being officially contacted by me today because your Unpaid Funds were Re-deposited into the "Federal Suspense Account" of CBN last week because you did not complete your Claim as the Rightful beneficiary.Well known to all, The Central Bank of Nigeria is the Head Bank of all commercial Banks here in Nigeria.
 
I was visited in my office TODAY by three foreigners, really these gentlemen were unexpected by me because their visit was imprompto.I had to ask them why they came to see me in person and they said that they came to collect your Inheritance/Contract funds bill sum of US$10.5 Million which rightfully belongs to you as shown in your file with us, on your behalf and by your authorization.
 
Note that they actually tendered some vital documents which proved that you actually sent them for the collection of these funds. Below is the list of the documents which they  tendered to this bank today:
 
1. Letter of Administration.
2. High court Injunction.
3. Order to release.
 
Due to the nature of my job,I cannot afford to make any mistake in releasing these funds to anyone except you who is the recognized true beneficiary to these funds. I Finally,told them to come back Next Week so that I can verrify this from you first. Kindly clearify us on this issue if they are from you before we make this Payment to them.
 
Note that for security reasons you have been assigned a code/password which is {TT7270CBN}, please note that this code is the reference number for your transfer and its being disclosed to you alone, guard this with jealously and all your email response should carry this code as the subject.
 
I will be waiting to hear from you soon.
 
Yours Faithfully,
Professor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR CBN

Anti-fraud resources: