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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:
- "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: "Sanusi Lamido" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <walbert40@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2012 02:57:12 -0700
Subject: RE:CHANGE OF ACCOUNT ON YOUR CONTRACT PAYMENT/PLEASE CONFIRM NOW
From: Mallam Lamido Sanusi Lamido
THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
TINUBU SQUARE VICTORIAhttp:
ISLAND LAGOS NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
CONTRACT #: MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/2012
FOREIGN REMITTANCE
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/092012
TEL: +234 80 255 35 865
TEL: + 234 1 408 2439
Dear Client.
This is to notify you that youre over delayed inheritance fund valued at US$15.5Million will be released to your nominated bank below as directed by your representative's Account who came to our BANK yesterday which was in accordance with instruction from the Federal Trade for remittance of the said fund.
Commission UNITED STATES OF AMERICA . NEW YORK .
TRANSFER DETAILS ACCOUNT.
Name of Bank: CIBC USA
Bank Address: 370 Connell St . Unit 5 Woodstock , New
Swift Code: CIBC CATT
Account #: 923028838
Beneficiary: Brian Barber Burke
Beneficiary's A/C No.: 7040-4991
Nationality: USA CITIZEN
Age: 60
Occupation: Construction, Trust Management
Also attached is his Dirver's license for your proper identification.
As a matter of fact Above is the account submitted by your representative and
will be credited with the said sum, so please confirm For actualization of
transfer (Transfer Validity 48hrs)
Congratulations.
Thanks.
Call me on the receipt of this message on +234 80 255 35 865
Mallam Lamido Sanusi Lamido
Executive Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Call me on + 234 1 408 2439
Or Mobile +234 80 255 35 865 .
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Anti-fraud resources: