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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- revchrismartins@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "REV CHRIS MARTINS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <revchrismartins@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:08:50 +0100
Subject: FROM: REV CHRIS MARTINS???????????VERY URGENT
CONTACT INFORMATION
ADDRESS: AMAZING GRACE PLAZA, 2E-4ELIGALIAYORINDE,
LAGOS VICTORIA IRELAND NIGERIA
TELEPHONE: +2348165442201. +2348027421388
TEXT: “33923”EMAIL:REVCHRISMARTINS@SIFY.COM
DATE: 16/12/2011
I want to inform you that your outstanding payment of $2.8B which has been with our central paying office from United Nations has been sign out for payment after series of meeting with our board of directors.
Also this payment will come to you via ATM Master CARD or CASH DELIVERY through our Diplomatic Agent. We want to conclude all payment before the end of 2011 runs out.bellow are the information required.
(1) FULL NAME
(2) HOUSE ADDRESS
(3) DIRECT PHONE/OFFICE
(4) AGE/OCCUPATION
Thanks and Congratulations
I wait your urgent response.
Thanks and remain bless
Rev Chris Martins
DIRECTOR ATM SWIFT CARD/FOREIGN OPERATION DEPT,
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA CBN.
CONTACT NO: +23480-65-44-22-01
CC: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
CC: NATIONAL CENTRAL BUREAU OF INTERPOL
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Anti-fraud resources:
