|
|
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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Kingsley Moghalu." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drkmoghalu0@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2013 01:45:58 -0500
Subject: Re: Your Compensation Payment Approved.
Attention Beneficiary,
The Senate President David Mark of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has issued a payment compensation notification of $3.5M on your behalf payable via the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for been scam by Fraudsters.
Please we want you to reconfirm the following information about you:-
1) Your Full Names.
2) Your Telephone and Fax Numbers.
3) Your Bank Account Details if you want a Wire Transfer.
4) Your Secured Delivery Address if you want Payment by a Certified Bank Draft, Debit Card or Related Instrument of Payment.
Once we receive information above, we shall advise you accordingly.
We await your urgent attention.
Dr. Kingsley Moghalu.
Deputy Governor, Financial
System Stability.
Central Bank Plc
|
Anti-fraud resources:
