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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:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "Jayson Ahern" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <uscustoms5036@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 10:17:14 -0700
Subject: Commissioner U.S.Customs and Border Protection Border..
Attention: Beneficiary,
This is to inform you that we have received an order from a Federal High Court
called ORDER OF MANDAMUS to allow the immediate release of your Inheritance to
you.
This ORDER will be adhered to immediately it is legalized with OFFICIAL STAMP
DUTIES.
We will allow the immediate Delivery of your Inheritance to you as soon as the
OFFICIAL STAMP DUTIES is paid for and its your responsibility as the beneficiary
of the inheritance to pay for this OFFICIAL STAMP DUTIES.
The Cost of the fee is US$150 only and your Inheritance will be irrevocably
released to you immediately you pay the fee.
The fee should be sent via Western Union Money Transfer in the name stated
below:
Name: Philip Ugoeyin
Address:12 Randie Street
Lagos,Nigeria
Test Question: What For?
Answer: Package
After making the payment, send the payment information stated below:
1. Sender's Name and Address
2. Receiver's Name
3. Amount Sent
4) Reference Number
As soon as the fee is paid, you will receive your funds.
Pay the fee and receive your funds.
James Williams.
Commissioner U.S.Customs and Border Protection Border
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Anti-fraud resources:
