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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "citi_plc@w.cn" (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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "FROM THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF BENIN REPUBLIC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <citi_plc@w.cn>
Date: Sat, 28 May 2011 04:55:59 -0700
Subject: YOUR $800.000.00USD is at CITI BANK OF INDIA NOW
FROM THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF BENIN REPUBLIC
LISTEN VERY ATTENTIVELY,
I am Barrister Benjamin Otaka the Federal High Court chief Judge,
We the Federal High Court Of Benin Republic write this morning to announce to you that we have transfered your fund valued $800.000.00Usd into to CITI BANK OF INDIA for your own security.
This is to avoid Africa bad government holding your fund here,we have made smooth arrangement with the Citi Bank Of India and they told us that as soon as you contact them they will follow up and give you the India Details of transaction which is quicker than our Africa Method here.
So i want you to contact them immediately you receive this mail.
Bank Name...CITI BANK OF INDIA
BANK MANAGER...MR.SADIKI KUMAR
BANK EMAIL citi_plc@w.cn
I wait for your mail about this very matter and do try to let me know after you contact the Citi Bank Of India,bear it mind that you don't have any transaction from Africa again.
Good Luck as we wait for your mail.
REGARDS BARRISTER BENJAMINE OTAKA
FROM THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF BENIN REPUBLIC (Civil Procedure)
(F.H.C.B)
( ARANGEMENT.
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Anti-fraud resources:
