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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)
- "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 <infocbngodwin447@gmail.com>
Reply-To: godwin_emefiele1221@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2022 17:20:39 +0100
Subject: Dear 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 contract payment file worth
Seventy-Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
($77.500.000.00) 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 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
Sincerely
Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
Executive Governor Central Bank (CBN).
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Anti-fraud resources:
