|
|
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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: INFORMATION DESK <thomasankara101@gmail.com>
Reply-To: PRESIDENCY1Desk@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 31 May 2022 14:25:31 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION!!
*OFFICE OF PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI GCFRPRESIDENT & COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF
THE ARMED FORCES *
*OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ASO ROCK VILLA, ASOKORO.*
*ATTENTION :SIR/MADAM*
* RE: SUB: PRESIDENTIAL
GAZETTE/NOTIFICATION OF PAYMENT:*
*The Office of President Muhammed Buhari, the president of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria (GCFR) is using this medium to inform our Foreign
Contractors and inheritance beneficiaries that we have started the
commencement of the paying of this year compensation payment through my
office in conjunction with our Central Bank and this exercise will last for
a period of two months.*
*The National Assembly and my office have mapped out $7.5Billion for this
quarter compensation payment and every eligible beneficiary is entitled to
receive an initial approved payment of $2.5M as the payment is approved
through installment for easy payment.*
*Eligible beneficiaries are requested to furnish us with his or her
receiving details for the processing of their payment.*
*Eligible beneficiaries also have the right to choose the method of payment
he or she wants us to pay her for the period of only three working days. *
*The Four method of Payment approved for this Compensation payment are as
follows:*
*1. ATM CARD PAYMENT *
*2. BANK DRAFT/CERTIFIED CHEQUE *
*3. CASH DELIVERY PAYMENT *
*4. ONLINE PAYMENT*
*We advised you to urgently get in touch with your information.*
*BOSS MUSTAPHA*
*Secretary to the office of Presidency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR*
* Cc:*
*ECOWAS COMMUNITYCc: CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIACc: METROPOLITAN POLICE
UKCc: USA HOME LAND SECURITY & FBICc: WORLD BANK, IMF AND PARIS CLUBCc:
EFCC We look forward in hearing from you.SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT.MR BOSS
MUSTAPHA*
* SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT.*
*[image:
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT5RCbRbOwYqlusvLd9QHQ1KsgW4GdeSHmelBPNNoUWks_2KpEy]*
|
Anti-fraud resources:
