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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:
- "cost of transfer" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev. John Okolie" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <okolierevjohn@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2015 11:37:39 +0200
Subject: I am Rev. John Okolie
Good Day,
I know you must have received about 5 different emails like this everyday but i want you to know in my own case you have nothing to worry about!!!
I am Rev. John Okolie and a banker by profession with banking experience of 35years. Presently, I am working with the Central Bank of Nigeria at the transfer department and am in charge of Foreign Transfer. I want to use this opportunity to let you know that I came across your file that was painted Red and marked X and your transfer has been put on pending and hold for so long. I took time to carry out my investigation and only to find out that you have paid VIRTUALLY all fees but the fund was not released to you.
I'm writing to confirm if you are dead or alive because I am looking for all means to get this fund across to you or your family. I needed to do this because you need to know the statues of your Funds and cause for the delay, please this is like a Mafia setting here in Africa, and you may not understand it because you are not from Nigeria. I am only doing this because I have the fear of GOD in me and I hate to see people been cheated.
Note: That the actual funds is valued at $10.5 Million Dollars and i have transferred your funds out of Central Bank of Nigeria and deposited it at the NatWest Bank UK on your behalf. I shall be looking forward to hear from you if you are still very much alive? because the only thing needed is for you to make the payment of $220 for the Cost of Transfer {C.O.T}. As soon as you make the payment your funds will be transfer into your Bank Account.
In view of development you have to send me your banking information where you what your funds to be transferred to.
(1) Your full name:
(2) Your nationality:
(3) Your next of kin:
(4) Your bank name:
(5) Your account number:
(6) Your bank address:
(7) Your bank swift code:
(8) Your phone number:
You are to get in touch with me through my cell phone:+27733643000
I remain your brother in the Lord Almighty.
Regards, Rev. John Okolie
Phone Number:+27733643000
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Anti-fraud resources:
