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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:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "contact the atm card center" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "citi-group2011@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "citi-group2011@live.com" (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: "CITI GROUP BANK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <citi-group001@live.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:07:24 -0000
Subject: DELIVERY OF YOUR ATM CARD/CONTACT SECRETARY IN CHARGE.
Citi Bank Group.
No. 1, Idowu Taylor Street
Victoria Island, Lagos ? Nigeria.
TEL: +234-802-093-7966
Email:citi-group2011@live.com
Ref: CITI/CMB/324/2010
Good day, be well informed that your ATM card valued at US$6.5Million has been approved today, kindly contact Mr. Nnanna Uba immediately.
following requirements:
1. YOUR FULL NAME(S) AS WOULD REFLECT ON YOUR CARD.
2. FULL ADDRESS (SAFE FOR THE DELIVERY OF YOUR CARD)
3. TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
4. ANY FORM OF IDENTIFICATION. Id attached
Your card will come with an already programmed pin.. You will be required to change this pin to any four digit of your choice at any Citibank or any atm machine branch close to you. All legal documentation including the anti money laundering your favor are intact. On receipt of your response, further directives shall be made available to you.
All you have to do is to contact the ATM CARD CENTER via email for their requirements to proceed and procure your Approval Slip and for the shipment of your ATM CARD to your door step on your behalf through (Fedex COURIER SERVICE) which will cost you $200.00 only and note that your Approval Slip which
contains details of the agent who will process your transaction.
Contact person: Mr. Nnanna Uba
Email: citi-group2011@live.com
Regards,
Mr. Nnanna Uba
Director citi group bank.
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Anti-fraud resources:
