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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:
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "chrisamah.firstbk@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Steven Amahr" <firstbank@custmercare.ng>
Reply-To: chrisamah.firstbk@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2023 21:49:49 -0700
Subject: Attn Valid Beneficiary
FROM INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
1ST BANK NIGERIA PLC
35 ASABA HOUSE LAGOS NIGERIA
FOR MORE DETAILS CALL +2349025801705
CONTACT EMAIL: chrisamah.firstbk@outlook.com
Attn Valid Beneficiary
This is to inform you today that your total fund worth Two million five hundred thousand united state dollars {$2.5m}which has been in our bank for a long
time due to your inability to provide the Clearance certificates,which you were asked to obtain from IRS.but after our meeting with central bank executive
governor with department of ministry finance on 1st August 2023 to deliberate on over due foreign delay payment,this first bank has been mandated to release
your accumulated interest rate of three hundred and fifty thousand united state dollars{$350,000.00}generated from your withheld Fund.your accumulated
interest of three hundred and fifty thousand united state dollars {$350,000.00} loaded in ATM master card is to deliver your home address which you will
provide upon your respond.
Your advice to update me with your current home address where I will deliver your ATM card with minimum balance of one hundred and twenty five dollars only{$125} for insurance
fee.Once again Note this is all that you required to pay to receive your ATM card feel free to get back as soon as possible to enable me to serve you better.
I await for your quick response
Steven Amah
Foreign remittance operation
First Bank
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Anti-fraud resources:
