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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (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: "service" <service@parasaga.com>
Reply-To: halifax.bankplc@sify.com
Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 06:08:18 +1000
Subject: INFORMATION
Attn: Fund Beneficiary,
The World Bank Group, Fact Finding & Special Duties office In conjunction with the United Nations Organization, In
collaboration with Central Bank of Nigeria new appointed governor (DR.CHUBA ABIA.) has received part of your pending
payment with reference number (LM-05-371) amounting to US$ 10.5 Million (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United
State Dollars) out of your contractual/inheritance funds from our ordering contractor Bank quoting reference to
UNO/WBF LM 05-371, the said payment is been arranged.honourable contractors through a means called diplomatic courirer
service delivery.This further explains that your contract funds shall packaged through Courier Company delivered to
your doorstep.
As a matter of urgency, you are required to provide the following information to forge ahead with this project.
1* Full names
2* Direct phone Number
3* Company Name, and Address
4* Occupation
5* Marital Status
6* Age
7* Sex
Congratilations
Dr.Chuba Abia.
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Anti-fraud resources:
