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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:
- "cost of transfer" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned 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: "CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alvaradolgas@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 07:27:55 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR $22.M INHERITANCE FUND
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
Add: P.M.B. 0187,Tinubu Square, Victoria Island
LAGOS-NIGERIA
Click here to learn more about our Head Office complex
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/08
Atten:
We have been waiting for you to secure the Cost of Transfer certificate($275) in regards to your $22.5m transaction with the bank all this while,but never heard from you.The Central Bank of Nigeria hereby notify you that since we have not heard or receive the said $275 from you in regards to your $22.5m inheritance ,we will have no options than to release the $22.5m to your representative.Attached is the scan copy of your representative.Its important you get back to us immidiately and also provide your direct contact telephone number.
MR SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
+234-7041860392
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Anti-fraud resources:
