|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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: "Dr. Godwin Emefiele" <test@jusheng.com>
Reply-To: <godwinemefule@gmx.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2016 09:55:25 -0800
Subject: Attention: Customer,
Attention: Customer,
The infinity Consulting has been employed to contact all the persons whose payments has not been paid to them and ensure smooth transfer to their various Bank accounts. These payments will be effected by the various escrow accounts opened for this purpose.
YOU HAVE MADE SERIES OF PAYMENTS TO THE WRONG PEOPLE AND SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED BY THE COURT IN NETHERLANDS.
OPEN THE LINK BELOW AND READ MORE NEWS.
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/telecoms_en/9746/six-e-mail-scammers-from-nigeria-and-benin-arrested-in-holland
In this regards, you are to forward all necessary information required to make smooth release of your fund.
You are to respond to this mail urgently.
OFFICIALLY SIGNED.
DR. GODWIN EMEFIELE.
GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
|
Anti-fraud resources: