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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:
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (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: "Dr. Kingsley Moghalu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <moghaludr.kingsley940@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2015 06:22:44 +0100
Subject: GREETINGS
From: Dr. Kingsley Moghalu
Deputy governor
Central Bank of Nigeria
Marina- Lagos
Nigeria.
Ref: CBN/FPD/0001576/15
Dear
This is to bring to your notice that After His Excellency, President
Muhammadu Buhari inauguration speech on the 29th of May, President Buhari
has promised change in his Government and he has also approve all the
outstanding payment.
Note that as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic Of
Nigeria, he has given the Central Bank of Nigeria the go ahead order to
release all outstanding payment to the beneficiary's with immediate effect.
You are one of the beneficiary's that has been approved for this payment
today and we will not hesitate to carry out the instruction given to us by
His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR President Commander in Chief of the
Armed Forces Federal Republic Of Nigeria.
Note that you are hereby required to to get back to us with your details for
final release of your US$8.5M.
1. Full Name
2. Home Address:
3. Your Telephone Number:
4. Your Occupation
5. A copy of your driver's license
6. Your mobile number
Be rest assured that your funds will be release to you immediately we
receive the above information. Finally i want you to understand that we have
only two payment options which we have listed below, so you are hereby
advice to make your choice while you get back to us immediately.
Best Regards
Dr. Kingsley Moghalu
Deputy Governor
of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
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Anti-fraud resources:
