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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "info.federalreservebankny@f-mail.net" (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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "John Marshal" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 03:40:39 +0100
Subject: Payment of Us$12.8 million approved for payment in your favour.
International Remittance Department.
Central Bank of Nigeria
Tel: +234-807-746-6231
Attn: Beneficiary
Payment of Us$12.8 million approved for payment in your favour.
It is necessary to inform you that your fund is presently assigned for release to you through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York American. Right now the Federal Government of Nigeria account officer in charge of conducting payments from the Nigeria government foreign reserve account with the Federal Reserve Bank is now with your payment file and you are advised to contact the account payment supervisor in charge of your payment through the Federal government of Nigeria via Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Tel/Fax: 1-518-671-4938.
Email:info.federalreservebankny@f-mail.net
Please reconfirm your information once again:
1. Your Full names.
2. Your complete Postal Address.
3. Your Telephone number.
4. Your fax number
5. Your Occupation.
6. Age/Sex.
7. Marital Status.
Ensure to send the requirements by email and call Mr. Richard Ford so you can discuss with him your exact payment which you are supposed to receive however the sum of $12.8 has already been approved for payment to your nominated bank account while I wait for your urgent response thanks for your kind understanding.
Regards,
Rev.Samuel Jones
Tel: +234-807-746-6231
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Anti-fraud resources:
