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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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. )
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- 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.
- mr.muhammedaliu@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: =?utf-8?q?mr=2Emuhammedaliu=40gmail=2Ecom_?= <imf002@seznam.cz>
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 17:21:01 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: URGENT! URGENT!! URGENT!!!
Attn.
I am Mr. George .F. Moore (I.M.F/World Bank Auditor) I went as directed by
the World Bank to make your funds US$550,000. transfer to your banks account
provided below within 14 hours. And this account below was provided by your
sister mrs.Sarah Rapson. based on the ground that you sent him as your next
of kin.
FIRST BANK
ACCOUNT NAME:Sarah Rapson
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 4000020574
ROUTING NUMBER: 221571473
ADDREESS:BAYAMON DRIVEIN #40 BAYAMON PUERTO RICO 00959
We need confirmation from you to proceed with the wire transfer fees of US$
350only via money gram today. Please call MR. MUHAMMED ALIU. with below
information for more details on your funds transfer as you send him your
correct bank account details and your direct phone numbers at once today.
1.Your billing address.......................................
2.Your direct phone number...............................
3.Your passport copies............................................
4.Your occupation...................................................
5.Your age.......................................................
6.Non-residential tax clearance fee ($350 dollars only)...........
7.Your full bank details................................
Call MR. MUHAMMED ALIU.as soon as you have gone through this email its very
urgent in the next 24 hours to rectify your bank account details.
MR. MUHAMMED ALIU
Email:mr.muhammedaliu@gmail.com
Chairman on foreign payment
(World Bank Delegate in Africa)
Regards,
George .F. Moore
I.M.F/World Bank Auditor
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Anti-fraud resources:
