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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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: "Hon. Minister Trade & Investment" <info.trade_gov@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: gen-rtd.gov@presidency.com
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 09:50:24 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Your Funds In progress16th/6/2012 !!!!
DEAR sir.
The transfer of USD$12.2Million of your long over due Inheritance funds is now in progress to your bank enroute Standard Chartered Bank Nig Ltd. However,we were asked to pay for the USD$12.2Million clean bill clearance with USD$220 to exonerate the fund from being termed a drug or terrorist related fund. Kindly forward to us your banking details as soon as possible.
It might interest you to know that this USD$220 is the only fee attached so do send the USD$220 through our cashier's name today either via western union money transfer or money gram service outlet close to you on the information bellow and wait for your transfer slip so as to enable you start withdrawal.
RECEIVER’S NAME: (CLETUS OMEKESO)
ADDRESS: LAGOS NIGERIA
AMOUNT: USD$220
TEXT QUESTION: WHO
ANSWER: ME
SENDER’S NAME: ………….AND COUNTRY NAME:.........
MONEY CONTROL NUMBER ……
Thank you,
Dr.Olusegun Aganga,
Hon.Minister,Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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