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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:
- "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)
- "million united states 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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "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)
- "centralbnkgov-drlamido@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "centralbnkgov-drlamido@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "centralbnkgov-drlamido@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.
- 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: "DR.SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <centralbnkgov-drlamido@w.cn>
Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2010 06:59:45 -0500
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT CONTRACT NO: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009...
>From the Desk Of:
SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI
Executive Governor (CBN)
EMAIL: centralbnkgov-drlamido@w.cn
Tel: +234-709-601-3424
Dear Beneficiary,
IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT CONTRACT NO: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009
During the auditing and closing of all financial records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it was discovered from the
records of outstanding foreign Contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria in the year 2010 that your
name/company is next on the list of those who will receive Their fund within this third quarter of year 2010.
I wish to officially notify you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to
this letter. Also Note that from The record in our file, your outstanding contract payment is US$10 Million (Ten Million
United States Dollars only).
Kindly re-confirm to us the information below to enable this office process And finalize your payment without further delays.
1. Full Names
2. Telephone Or Fax Number..
3. Contact Address.........
4. Age..
5. Occupation....
6. Sex..........
As soon as the above information are received, your payment will be made available to you either via Bank to bank wire
transfer which will cost a sum of $650 or an atm card which will be delivered to your doorstep and will cost $350.
NOTE:- Beneficiary are to be responsible for the cost of tranfer of fund to his or her own account or delivery of your ATM
CASH CARD to his door step and the fee can not be deducted from your fund.
You are advised to get back to Dr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as soon as you receive this mail for further directives through
e-mail: centralbnkgov-drlamido@w.cn you are also expected to notify us of your preferred mode of payment. (ATM card or Bank Wire transfer).
Regards,
DR.SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI.
Executive Governor
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Email: centralbnkgov-drlamido@w.cn
Direct Tel: +234-709-601-3424
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