|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR GODWIN I EMIEFELE" < info@un.org >
Reply-To: godwinemiefelegcbn@gmail.com
Date: 24 Dec 2016 21:18:49 -0800
Subject: your payment of US$10 5Million via International Certified Bank Draft (CHECK)
FROM THE DESK
Mr.Godwin I Emiefele
Governor Central Bank of Nigeria
+2349093256175
Attn:Beneficiary
Be informed that on the process of transferring your fund into
your
bank account which was submitted to us We discovered that your
payment
is coded here in Nigeria, and there is no way the fund will
reflect in
your account without it been decode meaning that it will not be
possible for you to receive your fund either through Bank to Bank
wire
transfer nor through ATM CARD, and we have also discovered that
you
have made a lot of payment to the officials that is handling your
fund
without you received a DIM NEITHER CENT. this is reason why each
time
your payment is approved for transfer they will be asking you to
pay
for one charges or the other, and the fund will not be release to
you.
Based on this problem we decided to reprocess your payment to be
pay
to you via International Certified Bank Draft (CHECK) which has
already being issued in your name.
For your own good you are advice to stop any further
communication out
side this office. All you need to do now is come down here in
person
for the collection of your original copy of your bank draft which
is
confirm able world wide, once again you advice to go to any bank
of
your choice to cash your fund with this bank draft, it is an
instant
payment to any bank in the world.
Please whereby you cannot make the trip down here for the
collection
of the bank draft, alternatively we can assist you mail the bank
draft
to you if only you will bear the cost of shipment which will not
cost
you much.
Bellow is the required information i need from you so that the
delivery of your check draft will commence immediately today
Home address:...........................................
Active Cell phone number:......................................
City:...................................................
Next of Kin.................
occupation.............position
Age....................
valid Working Id Card........
We advice you to prohibit any other transaction you are having
with an
unknown source to avoid regret there after.And we urge you to
comply
fast with the managerial demands so that you can have your legit
Draft
check with immediate effect as instructed from (CBN). we wait
for
action to be expedite
We are waiting to hear from you the date of your arrival here for
the
collection of your original copy of your bank draft, or if we
should
contact the courier service company here to know what it will
cost you
deliver the bank draft to your doorstep.
We are very sorry for what you have being going through in the
process
of claiming your fund or what its mighty cost you and family on
the
process of claiming the fund
Best regards
MR GODWIN I EMIEFELE
GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).
|
Anti-fraud resources:
