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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- ",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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "paul john" <johnpaul_24@mailbox.hu>
Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 11:26:23 +0200
Subject: GOD HES DONE IT
*Dear Friend, *
*Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you showed at
the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude
to you with the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million United States Dollars). *
*I have signed an international bank draft in your favour and authorized the
Bank Manager Mr.Charles Anago to keep it for you till I inform you to
contact him.The international certified bank draft cashable at your bank.My
dear friend, I will like you to contact the Bank Manager for the
claim/collection of your international certified bank draft. The name and
contact address of the Person with your Cheque is MR Charles Anago, is as
follows. *
*1.UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC .
2.CONTACT PERSON: MR CHARLES ANAGO
3.EMAIL: **info_union_bank_plc@post.ro* <info_union_bank_plc@post.ro>* *
*4.TEL: + 234-7025045539
(call him immediately and notify about my email to you ok.) *
*Meanwhile,you have to send to him the following information mention below:
*
*1.Your name:
2.Your Address:
3.Your Telephone number *
*At the moment, I am very busy here in South Korea because of the investment
projects which myself and my new partner are having at hand. Finally,
remember that I have forwarded instruction to the finance house on your
behalf to send the bank draft to you as soon as you contact them without
delay. *
*Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from
the bottom of my heart. Thanks and God bless you and your family.Contact him
via email: **info_union_bank_plc@post.ro* <info_union_bank_plc@post.ro>* *
*Hope to hear from you soon. *
*Yours
Faithfully
Mr.John Paul *
Anti-fraud resources:
