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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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: Infocbn Emefiele <infocbnemefiele@gmail.com>
Reply-To: godwin_emefiele1221@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2022 14:14:22 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY FRIEND
Dear Friend.
I am Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the current executive governor of the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
I am pleased to inform you that an unpaid overdue contract file, worth
Three Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars ($350.000.000.00) was
discovered during the second quarter of auditing exercise in
2017/2018.
With my position as the Central Bank Governor, it was easy for me to
move the funds to a secure bank 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 for me to 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 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
Sincerely
Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
Executive Governor Central Bank (CBN).
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Anti-fraud resources:
