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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:
- "clearance document" (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. )
- "(efcc)" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "farida waziri" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. ZINSOU LIONEL" <helpdesk@inpa.gov.br>
Reply-To: dhlheadofficebenin26@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 2 May 2017 17:18:43 -0400
Subject: Dear Beneficiary
Dear:Beneficiary,
I am Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde the chairman of ECONOMIC & FINANCIAL CRIME
COMMISSION (EFCC).EFCC in alliance with Economic community of West
African states (ECOWAS) with head Office here in Nigeria.
I was appointed the Chairman of EFCC by President Mohammed Buhari to make
the Commission more effective due to outcry of beneficiaries over
extortion and non payment of their entitlement by the former Chairman Mrs
Farida Waziri.
We have done our due diligence and have confirmed that the fund rightfully
belongs to you and it is no threat to National Security.
We have concluded all necessary arrangements to effect the shipment of the
ATM CARD and we have met with the Regional Manager of the COURIER COMPANY
and they have reduced the cost of delivery fees to ($198.00) to ensure you
received Your Atm Card Of $2.5mUsD.
You are to respond immediately with your delivery address and a direct
phone number so as to direct you on how to send the fee for final shipment
to your home.
Please be rest assured that all other necessary arrangement has been
concluded with the clearance document for a smooth transfer to you the
beneficiary within three working days .
Regards,
Mr.Ibrahim Lamorde
(Acting Chairman EFCC)
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Anti-fraud resources:
