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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "executive governor" (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 Godwin Emefiele <no-reply@ifcworldbankgroups.org>
Reply-To: drgodwinemefiele98@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:21:01 -0300
Subject: Central. Bank Of Nigeria
--
From Dr Godwin Emefiele
Central. Bank Of Nigeria.
(Governor)
Sir
I am Dr Godwin Emefiele. The NEW Executive Governor, Central. Bank Of
Nigeria. I decided to contact you because of the prevailing security
report reaching my office and the intense nature of politics in Nigeria.
This is to inform you about our plan to send your fund to you via cash
delivery.This system will be easier for you and for us.
We are going to send your contract part payment of US$10. Million to you
via diplomatic courier service.
Note: The money is coming on 2 security proof boxes. The boxes are
sealed
with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine. This fund was brought
touch from America. But since the money was not used, I will use my
position as the Executive Governor,Central. Bank Of Nigeria. to send
this
fund to you. The boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will
accompany the boxes to your house address. All you need to do now Is to
send to me your full house address and your identity such as,
international passport or drivers license including your contact phone
numbers, The Diplomat will make use of your information to identify you
and as a receiver.
He will call you immediately he arrives your country's airport. I hope
you
understand me. Note: The diplomatic does not know the original contents
of
the boxes. What l declared to them as the contents is Sensitive
Photographic Film Material.I did not declare money to them please. If
they
call you and ask you the contents please tell them the same thing Ok.
and
will let you know how far I have gone with the arrangement. I will
secure
the Diplomatic immunity clearance certificate that will be tagged on the
boxes to make it stand as a diplomatic consignment.
This clearance will make it pass every custom checkpoint all over the
world without hitch. Confirm the receipt of this message and send the
requirements to me immediately you receive this message. Please I need
urgent reply because the boxes are schedule to be delivered as soon as
we
hear from you. Call me immediately you receive this message.
Best Regards,
Dr Godwin Emefiele
Central. Bank Of Nigeria
(Governor)
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