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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "million united states 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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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 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.
- pro.godwinemefiele@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Pro.Godwin Emefiele" <mr.thomas.k.warner@gmail.com>
Reply-To: emefiele.centrabankofnig@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2022 17:12:53 +0100
Subject: 2022 SECOND QUARTER PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
Central International Bank PLC
ATM Visa/Swift Card Unit,
Attn. Fund Beneficiary,
This note is a reminder that the President through the office of
Federal Ministry Of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria has
approved the Release of your fund (10M) Million United States Dollars
only, through ATM CARD. This method is necessary to avoid
suppression,You are Required to send to us your details information
for process
1) Your: Full Name===================
2) Your: Full Address================
3) Your: contact telephone and fax number;=====
4) Your: Age and Profession;=========
5) Your:Copy of any valid form of your Identification;===
6) Your:Marital status===========
This information will enable our IT unit and customer service to
Process your ATM VISA OR MATER CARD which will be deliver to you.We
shall Proceed on receipt of this information requested from you .
Private E-mail:pro.godwinemefiele@yahoo.com
Thank you for your anticipated co-operation.
TREAT AS URGENT.
Pro.Godwin Emefiele.Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Head,e-Payment Division
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Anti-fraud resources:
