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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Ernest Ebi"<chuksebiern001@live.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:23:04 +1000
Subject: Re; Unpaid contract/Inheritance sum-why you have not succeeded
My Dear,
I am Mr.Chukwudi Ebi the deputy governor of the central bank of Nigeria in charge of foreign operations. During the fiscal year 2010 Audit I came across a contract file worth of ($10.2 Million) baring your name yet unclaimed. I am therefore contacting you so as to redress the errors I noticed in this payment file concerning your inability to procure all the vital documents, a new contract number with job card number which was the main obstacle behind the perfection of this transfer in the past. In my position I can only guide you with the truth, the person who handled this transaction in the past could not bring you into a good knowledge of the of the transaction because he virtually has no power to conclude or perfect this transfer and he therefore utilized the opportunity to swindle you.
Now I seek for your understanding to be equal partners in the handling of the transfer of the fund,and I will not accept any oral promises rather I would like a legal agreement to avoid breach of trust to protect our interests. I can only tell you the truth in this matter I cannot instigate you to work with me but if you are convinced with my explanation and guarantee me complete confidentiality then I will be ready to work with you. I will do everything within my position to conclude this transfer with you in no distant time.
I must assure you that once you abide to my directives nothing will impose any kind of threat against the successful conclusion of this transfer. I am here to protect your interest and look forward to your compliance and once the fund gets into your account my wife will join you to receive my own part.
Looking forward to your immediate response to enable me give you details of requirements to proceed.
Please reconfirm to me your mobile telephone line for effective communication.
Best Regards,
Mr.Chukwudi Ebi.
Executive Deputy Governor.
Central Bank of Nigeria.
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Anti-fraud resources:
