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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "your payment is being processed" (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 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)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned 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: "Mrs S. Hassan" <moghslukdr_vdcbn@ymail.com>
Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 05:53:24 -0700
Subject: Notification of Payment!
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Office of the Chairman,
Audit & Verifications Dept
Central Bank of Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria
EXTERNAL DEBT BURDEN RELIEF & FISCAL POLICY
YOUR IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT#:
MAV/NOFK/NNPC/FGN/MIN/2014.
>From the records of outstanding payment with the federal
government of Nigeria in collaborations with the
Commonwealth of Nation & united Nation through the EXTERNAL
DEBT BURDEN RELIEF & FISCAL POLICY your name was discovered
we wish to inform you that your payment is being processed
and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this
letter. Also note that from our record your file is among
outstanding payment $10.5 million dollars (Ten million five
hundred thousand united states dollars)As part payment.
Please re-confirm to me the followings:
1. Your full name:
2. Your full address:
3. Home telephone:
4. Mobile telephone;
5. Profession:
6. Age:
7. Marital status:
8. A Scan copy of your International Passport or any valid
identification:
As soon as this information is received, we will commence
the process immediately for your payment.
NOTE: the above information shall be attention to DR
Kingsley Moghalu.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs S. Hassan
Secretary
Payment & Verifications
Central Bank of Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
