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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "the 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev. Mikel Christopher" <info@nourishwel.in>
Reply-To: mikech4581@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2019 15:21:03 +0200
Subject: Rev. Mikel Christopher
Attention:
The Governor Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN). decided to contact you because of the prevailing security report reaching my office and the intense nature of polity in Nigeria.This is to inform you about our plan to send your fund to you via cash delivery since your file has been investigated and approved,this system will be easier for you and for us. We are going to send your Inheritance part payment of US$15.1 Million to you via diplomatic courier service.
We have every needed document to cover the money. Note: The money is coming in two (2) security proof boxes,The boxes are sealed with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine.I will use my position as the Governor Central Bank Of Nigeria to release this fund to you ON THE PROMISE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRANTED,APPROVED AND RELEASED FUND TO OFFSET ALL OVER DUE FOREIGN PAYMENT NOW THAT A NEW GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN USHERED IN.
The boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will accompany the boxes to country All you need to do now is to send to me the following:
1.Your complete name
2.Your full house address
3.Your identity either international passport or drivers license
4.Your contact phone numbers.
The Diplomatic attached will travel with this required information for the delivery of your fund. He will call you immediately on arrival in your country's airport.
I will let you know when these consignments will be lifted and Note: The diplomat does not know the original contents of the boxes. What is declared to them as the content of the boxes is Sensitive Photographic Film Material. We don't let the diplomats know the true content to avoid disappearance and or extortion of the intended owner before delivery. If they call you and ask you the contents on their arrival please tell them the same thing OK.
In line with the arrangement I will secure the Diplomatic immunity clearance certificate that will be tagged on the boxes to make it stand as a diplomatic consignment, which i will dispatch along with the security inner Keys of the consignments to enable you access these consignments as soon as it is delivered to you. This clearance will make it pass every custom checkpoint all over the world without hitch. Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements to me immediately you receive this message.
Please I need your urgent reply because the boxes are scheduled to airlift as soon as we hear from you. Call me immediately you receive this message.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
M/D. DIPLOMAT AGENT
Rev. Mikel Christopher
PHONE NUMBER +234-8156038634
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