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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:
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- ",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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Rose Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamsrose866@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 18:05:13 -0800
Subject: Dear Customer
Dear Customer
We have been instructed by the IMF to pay you via Visa card $10,000,000.00.which will be send to you via shipment,all you need to
reconfirm to us is your Full Name/post address and direct telephone number and any of your identification because we have already programmed your payment to the Visa Card balance will be credited after confirmation of the shipment.The pin number will be send to you
with directive on how to change your pin code in the machine when you receive your Visa Card meanwhile withdrawing each day on your VISA
CARD is $50,000.00 while $10,000.00 at the strange until the cash is over in the machine.All you are required to pay is for the Shipment delivery fee only.Please re-confirm to us your receiving Full Name/ Home address/mobile number/Any identification.
Please note that you are not required to reply if you are not ready for the Card Shipment fee.
Please get back to us
Mrs.Rose Williams
FCMB
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Anti-fraud resources:
