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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "consignment " (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)
- "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)
- "million 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)
- "my direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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)
- 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.
- johnlarry719@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: MR GODWIN <ytryk903@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: MR GODWIN <cbncbn50@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2015 05:08:05 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: you have 24 hours to call him now 216-759-1180
 i am the new Governor of (CBN) as i resume office received a payment credit instruction from the (United Nation/Federal Government of Nigeria) to credit your account with yourfull contract Inheritance funds from the Nigerian reserve account with our bank but we can not transfer this funds direct to your nominated bank account, because we are having alittle problem with International Monetary Fund (IMF) so our method of payment is by Diplomatic Courier Service. (Delivery) This is to inform you that your diplomat has arrived with your cash consignment box value 10.7 million dollars in CLEVELAND HOPKINS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OHIO USA. as their transitI want you to know that you have 24 hours to call him now 216-759-1180? or E-mail( johnlarry719@yahoo.co.uk ) then ask to speak to the diplomatic in person of JOHN LARRY in the United States, let us know if you are still interested to get your consignment delivery to you today? as they have been waiting to hear from you to help them complete this livery to youright now the diplomatic have arrival at CLEVELAND OHIO United State with you consignment box call them now to help them pay for clearance of your package as soon as he get toyour airport you are to call him with this number 216-759-1180 and ask to speak with the diplomatic in person JOHN LARRY or contact him through this email( johnlarry719@yahoo.co.uk ) call them and get back to me
Note; that you must call me as soon as you receive this email for more discussion, my direct line is +234-7083192083. Also reconfirm your full current address and valid phonenumber to the Diplomatic once you receive this email to enable him to deliver your cash consignment to you without any further delay or mistake.
I appreciate your good sympathetic and collaboration, Hope hearing from you swiftly.
CONGRATULATIONS.
MR GODWIN EMEFIELE ,EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR,CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIAOFFICE +234-7083192083
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Anti-fraud resources:
