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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:
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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: "Douglas Christopherson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dchristophersonn1@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:41:44 -0800
Subject: I need Your Confirmation
Attn: Beneficiary,
This is to inform you that we just received a directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria to effect the transfer of the sum of US$3.5Million which is part of the contract payment of your fund into your beneficiary's account.
Mr. Andrew . Leung Came to our office presenting a Power of Attorney document saying that you have instructed him to claim your payment as his business partner he has requested that the Central Bank of Nigeria should make an immediate transfer of the above said fund into his bank account as below:
AC N0: 5010616
A/C NAME: MR. ANDREW LEUNG
SWIFT: ROYCCAT2
TRANSIT: 07378
BANK N0: 003
BANK ADDRESS: MAIN BRANCH 1542-1ST AVENUE, SOUTH SASKATOON CANADA
p.o. box S7K132
Attached is a copy of his photograph, you are expected to confirm if you actually sent this man to claim your fund before we can release your part payment of US$3.5Million into the above mentioned account.
Your prompt response to this will be highly appreciated
Yours truly
Douglas Christopherson
Special Adviser to the President
Tel: +234-8079094623
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Anti-fraud resources:
