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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Godwin Emefiele" <godwinemefielecbn122@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 20 02:23:16 GMT
Subject: HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY
Dear Friend.
I am Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the current executive governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN).
I write to inform you that an unpaid contract payment file worth Seventy Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($77.500.000.00) only was recently discovered during the auditing exercise at the closure of the fiscal year of 2017.
With my position as the Central Bank Governor it was easy for me to move the funds to a secure bank account in Europe which will be disclosed to you upon your confirmation of your interest on the transaction as my foreign partner.
The transaction, will be a bank to bank wire transfer to any nominated bank account of your choice.
Kindly supply me with your details as listed below as to enable me prepare the documents require for the transaction on your name for immediate release of the funds via the Europe bank to any nominated bank account of your choice.
Your Formal Name
Your Direct Contact Address
Your Bank Name & Address
Account Number,
Routing Number,
Swift Code
Your Private Telephone Numbers.
Form of Identification
I will personally furnish you with steps assigned for this payment inline
with the European banking system.
As to know whom you are dealing with, view the website below for verification.
Website cenbank.org
https://www.cbn.gov.ng/AboutCBN/Thelist.asp
Sincerely
Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
Excutive Governor Central Bank (CBN).
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Anti-fraud resources:
