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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:
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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 free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- cbn_c@inbox.ru (Inbox; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "DR GODWIN EMEFEILE." <mail@mice-broker.ru>
Reply-To: governorgodwin2013@gail.com
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2016 03:39:45 -1200
Subject: Congratulation 121
Dear:
I am Directed by ALHAJI MUHAMMADU BUHARI the new President Federal
Republic of Nigeria to release the sum of USD$2. 5Milion as a
Compensation fund to Ten beneficiaries those that have been a victim
of Scam here in Nigeria and your Name is among the Ten.
Today the Central Bank of Nigeria has agreed to pay you through an
ATM CARD to enable you get your Compensation Payment within the next
One week in your below nominated Address.
28368 Constellation Rd,
#370 - Valencia,
California 91040
So do re-confirm your information to this office to avoid paying to a
wrong person.
kindly get back to this office immediately you notice that this is
your real Home or Office address.
I await your urgent response.
Yours truly.(cbn_c@inbox.ru)
Mr.Godwin Emefiele (CBN)
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Anti-fraud resources:
