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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "million 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- info_ubn075@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: info_unionbank001@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:51:18 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Payment Approval (REF.NO:784/UBN/5408)
HEAD OFFICE STALLION PLAZA
36 MARINA, P.M.B 2027 LAGOS, NIGERIA
EMAIL: info_ubn075@yahoo.co.uk
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                        Â
Dear,
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Following the reciept of application tendered by your Partner/Representative,your payment is ready for release.
                                             Â
>From our records, REF.NO:784/UBN/5408,your name was discovered among the list of outstanding payments as approved for release by the UBN Board.Â
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 I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in our file, your outstanding payment is ($5,000,000.00USD)Five Million United States dollars only.
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To assist us effect your payment promptly as directed by the Board,kindly re-confirm the following details:
1) Your full name.
2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #.
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As soon as these informations are received, your payment will be made to you via certified bank draft or wired to your bank account directly through our correspondence bank and a copy of transfer confirmation slip will be sent to you for confirmation.
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Your Prompt Response is therefore expected.
Â
Mr..John Aka
Director,Foreign Operations
UBN
Anti-fraud resources:
