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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)
- "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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- 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.
- benjamin.onyido@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "BENJAMIN C. ONYIDO" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benjamin.onyido@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:38:33 +0100
Subject: DID YOU STILL NEED YOUR FUND TO BE TRANSFER?
FROM THE DESK OF:
BENJAMIN C. ONYIDO
DIRECTOR OF CURRENCY AND BRANCH OPERATIONS,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
E-MAIL: benjamin.onyido@gmail.com
TELL: +2347067089887
Attention: Beneficiary
The Central Bank of Nigeria has stated its decision and every arrangement for the remittance of your overdue funds payment of USD$22M has been concluded and the funds will be released within 48 banking hours of your response. All documentation to this effect is in place and we have already prepared your key tested telex (KTT) for your transfer to your bank account.
Kindly reconfirm your information requested below:
1) Your full name?
2) Phone, fax and mobile Number?
3) Company name, position and address?
4) Profession, age and marital status?
5) Copy of Drivers License I .D. ?
6)Bank Account Details. ?
As soon as the above information are received, the payment will be made available to you and transfer to your nominated bank account.
Benjamin C. Onyido
DIRECTOR OF CURRENCY AND BRANCH OPERATIONS,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
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Anti-fraud resources:
