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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:
- "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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. VICTOR WILLIAMS" <dr.victorwilliams54@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:01:16 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION: Farrokh Bulsara
I have contacted the FBI for the release and transfer of your fund this
time, and they required the mode of transfer which you will need to get your
fund.
below are the requested mode of transfer they give me.
IF BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFER? THERE IS NEED FOR YOUR TO PROVIDE YOUR BANK
ACCOUNT DETAILS WHERE THE TRANSFER OF YOUR FUND COULD BE DONE.
THEN IF IT IS DHL DELIVERY SERVICE DISCHARGES? YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE
YOUR HOME ADDRESS AND OFFICE ADDRESS AND A SCAN COPY OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL
PASSPORT SO AS TO ENABLE THE THE DHL PEOPLE COME TO YOUR DOOR STEP AND GIVE
YOU A CASHER CHEQUE WHICH YOU WILL USE AND CASH YOUR FUND THERE IN YOUR
COUNTRY.
GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
DR. VICTOR WILLIAMS
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Anti-fraud resources:
