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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:
- "million 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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
- udobenmr1020@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Ben" <gataraxz@verizon.net>
Reply-To: mr.benudo85@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 04:06:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: BE MY PARTNER
NLNG-HOUSE LAGOS.
E-mail:(udobenmr1020@gmail.com)
Dear Representative,
I am writing in my capacity as Chief Accountant & Auditor-General of Nigeria Liquefied Neutral Gas (NLNG). After a thorough scrutiny of the records of Accounts of all awarded and executed contracts of this company during the formal President regime, I carefully mapped out an over-invoiced sum of USD16.5Million which I intend to transfer to your account as the beneficiary. The contract was valued at USD106.5Million and was awarded with reference number: (NLNG//FMF/CBN/B2517/205). The contract has since been completed while the original Contractors has fully received their contract value of USD106.5 Million leaving the balance of USD16.5Million Dollars as over-invoice.
The over invoiced sum has been approved for payment through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). As a public servant, I am not allowed to operate foreign bank account hence; my decision to contact you to receive this money on my behalf for onward disbursement among us.
No risk is attached to this business as I will update the approval of this payment to reflect your name as the true beneficiary of the over-invoiced sum and back you up accordingly. You will get 30% of the total sum for your assistance while 5% is for any expenses that will come up for both parties during the transaction.
Please contact me with the requested information below for the paper work on (udobenmr1020@gmail.com). note that we are going to need the consent of a lawyer who will process all the documentation to back you up for the claim, i will give you his information in your response as you may that i will not fully involve because i am still a civil servant.
1. Your Full Names --------------------------------------
2. A Valid ID --------------------------------------------
3. Your phone and fax number -----------------------------
4. Your Residential Address -------------------------------
5. Your age and occupation --------------------------------
6, Your bank information---------------------------------
Awaiting your response.
Sincerely,
Mr.Ben Udo.
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