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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:
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "transaction is risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "money orders " (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. )
- "cashier's check" (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. )
- "cashiers check" (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 company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
- 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: "Mr. Lucas" <john_lucas@brooksinc.co.uk>
Reply-To: lucas_john_1600@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:17:04 +0000
Subject: JOB OFFER
Hello
My name is John Lucas and I own a company that sells textile and fabric material in the united kingdom, I am looking for a representative in the United States Of America who will be working for me as a representative in the u.s.a and i will be willing to pay 10% for every transaction, which wouldn't affect your present state of work, someone who would help me receive payments from my customers in the states, I mean someone that is responsible ,fast and reliable, because the cost of coming to the state and getting payments is very expensive.
I am working on setting up a branch in the state, so for now i need a representative in the United States Of America who will be handling the payment aspect for our company.These payments are in order of money orders and cashier's checks and they would come to you in your name if you are willing to assist as a representative, so all you need do is cash the money order/cashier checks deduct your percentage and western union Charges then wire the rest back.
You are entitled to 10% commission for any transaction(that is for any MONEY ORDERS or CASHIERS CHECK ).This transaction is risk free and legal . Please reply only if you will like to work from home part-time and get paid weekly without leaving or it affecting your present job. Do you have a checking account?
Please get back to me with your Complete information
1.full Name
2. full Residential Address/state/zip code
3. direct Telephone Number.
4. Age
5. Occupation
6. Marital status
7. email address
8. do you have an account?
9. have you done this before?
Thanks
John Lucas
Anti-fraud resources:
