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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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Unit {CBN}" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.hasanefosa@airsoftmail.com>
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 11:02:59 -0800
Subject: Re-Congratulations once again!!!!!. Please call me once you receive this message.
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA {CBN}
TINUBU SQUARE,VICTORIAISLAND,LAGOS-NIGERIA
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE-LAGOS
>From the Desk Of:
Dr Hassan A Efosa
Director ATM Payment Unit {CBN}
Tel:+234-1-8423-717
Cell: +234-805-6811-038
Email:
REF: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/211
Dear Beneficiary
I am Directed by the Management of Central Bank of Nigeria {CBN} in agreement with the United Nations Compensation Fund (UNCF) in alliance with the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Finance, to inform you that your Compensation payment verification is OK. Your ATM Card Numbers is: {4001010257172299} While Your Secret PIN Number is {8342}. The ATM Card Value is $8.5M USD Only. This Payment Will be Programmed Into An Automated Teller Machine (ATM CARD) Powered By MasterCard And Will Be Mailed To Your Address By Courier Service.
You Are Therefore Required To Re-confirm And Forward To My Desk The Following Information's for the claim.
1. Your Required Name To Be Printed On Your Atm Card:
2. Your Present Resident Mailing Address (not P.o Box):
3. Your Personal And Reachable Phone Number:
4. Your Occupation:………………………………………………
5. Your Age:…………………………………………………………
6. Your Identification:………………………………………………
7. Sex:
Re-Congratulations once again!!!!!. Please call me once you receive this message.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr Hassan A Efosa
Director ATM Payment Unit {CBN}
Tel:+234-1-8423-717
Cell: +234-805-6811-038.
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