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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:
- 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:
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "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: "DR. SHEHU KURANGA MUHAMMAD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <keystonebankltd@zipmail.com.br>
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:36:38 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT APPROVAL NOTICE
Dear Beneficiary,
PAYMENT APPROVAL NOTICE
This is to inform you that, we have been directed through circular No. CBN/LAG/70024/013 from the office of the Governor Central Bank of Nigeria to commence the issuing of ATM (Visa) Credit Card to all the short listed beneficiaries which you happen to be among. Instructions from the Central Bank of Nigeria, states that your outstanding fund of US$5.5M should be processed Via Smart Card and dispatched to your Address within 7 bank working days.
In line with the above directives, you are advised to revert back to me by reconfirming your Mailing/Billing Address and Telephone to enable us start the process of issuing your Card to you. Your urgent and immediate response will be highly appreciated and for your own best interest.
Thank you,
DR. SHEHU KURANGA MUHAMMAD
For: Keystone Bank Limited
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Anti-fraud resources:
