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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "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)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "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 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.
- eminawest@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "EMINA WEST" <eminawest2@mail.mn>
Reply-To: eminawest@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 19:57:53 +0200
Subject: RELEASE OF FUND
BANK FOR AFRICA
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT QUARTERS, 15TINUBU
SQUARE,LAGOS, NIGERIA.
ATTN: Sir/Ma,
From the records of outstanding contractors/inherintance due for Payment
with the Federal Government of Nigeria, your Name was attached as the next
of kin to one of ourlate contractor.
Your payment has been discovered as next on the list of payment. So, I wish
to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to
you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also be advised that because of
too many contractors that I have to pay at this quarter of the year, you
will only receive the sum of us $10,000,000, Ten Million United States
Dollars.
So that I will be able to pay other people, but my promise is that I will
make sure that you receive your balance later. Kindly re-confirm to me the
followings:
1. Your full name.
2. Phone, fax and mobile.
3. Company name, and address.
4. Profession, age and marital status.
5 Account details
As soon as this information is received,it will be compared with what I have
in the computer already,thenafter your payment will be made to you in a
certified Bank Draft payment or wired to your nominated bank account
directly.
Mail or call me on 234-708-499-3018 as soon as you receive this letter for
further Directions. PLS SEND YOUR REPLY TO my private email (
eminawest@yahoo.com)
This order is from the presidency.Yours faithfully,
EMINA WEST.
Anti-fraud resources:
