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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Sarah Alade" <claimscenter1010@live.com>
Reply-To: DrDavidCagedr-david@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2014 01:27:21 +0800
Subject: Urgent (Your Compensation Fund)
Hello Dear,
I wish to inform you that all matters relating to the release of this
payment is now under my control and supervision. This development has
become necessary due to the activities of unpatriotic government/CBN
officials and impostors who keep on frustrating every effort to settle our
clients by making requests for unauthorized fees and levies from them.
We sincerely apologize for any delay you might have encountered in the
past; your payment is now 100% Guaranteed. I am Dr Sarah Alade the newly
appointed Governor CBN. I was mandated by the President Federal Republic
Of Nigeria in conjunction with the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the
Senate Committee on Foreign Debts Reconciliation and Implementation Panel
on Contract/inheritance/compensation funds to complete the entire unpaid
Contract/inheritance/lottery fund. You are required as a matter of urgency
to reconfirm your information below for verification and immediate payment
within 24 hours.
*** Full Name:
*** Address:
*** Mobile Number:
*** Bank Name:
*** Bank Address:
*** Bank Account Number:
*** Swift Code:
To this effect, the sum of $10.7 Million (TEN MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED
THOUSAND UNITED STATES
DOLLARS) has approved for immediate transfer to your nominated bank account.
Kindly get back to me ASAP.
Best Regards,
Dr Sarah Alade
Governor CBN
NB: KINDLY NOTE THAT SOME PEOPLE (FRAUDSTARS) HAVE STARTED MAKING FORGERY
OF MY GOOD NAME.
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Anti-fraud resources:
