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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "dr. sanusi" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- mr.sanusi.lamido@mail.md (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Sanusi.Lamido" <mr.sanusi.lamido@mail.mn>
Reply-To: mr.sanusi.lamido@mail.md
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:45:39 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Transfer of your approve fund valued usd$ 4.3Million!!!
>From the Desk Of:
Dr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
Executive Governor (CBN)
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT
E-mail: mr.sanusi.lamido@mail.md
OUR REF: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/09
REF: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009.
Attention : Honorable Beneficiary
>From the records of outstanding BENEFICIARIES due for payment with the federal government of Nigeria. Your payment file was brought to me from the office of the senate committee for immediate release of your inheritance payment. However,I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Please fill out the space below and forward back to me without delay.
1)
Your full name and address ..........
2) Phone, fax and mobile ..............
4) Copy of int'l passport .............
5: Your expected payment ...................
6. Occupation ............
7. age
As soon as this information's are received, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft from central bank of Nigeria after processing it and approve it on your behalf from the Federal Ministry Of Finance, while we dispatch it to your provided address.
I am waiting for your response.
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
New Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Will Need Courage
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Anti-fraud resources:
