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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:
- "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: "MINISTRY OF FINANCE NIG." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alvaradolgas@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:46:26 +0100
Subject: ATTEN:BENEFICIARY!!PAYMENT NOTIFICATION 24.
Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF)
Ahmadu Bello Way, Central Business District
Nigeria.
Atten:
Our attention has been called to your ongoing transaction of your $22.5m funds with the Central Bank of Nigeria.It has been noticed that your file has not been completed,by the omission of Probate Certificate,which is the last and only certificate needed to get the funds transfer to your account.
We hereby advise you get the certificate within stipulated period of time.
For your own good,the Probate Certificate must be secured with immidiate,in other for you to be able to get the $22.5m in your nominated account within 48hrs from now.
Regards
Mallam Farris Barao
Executive Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
