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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:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "processing fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- 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: "Bank Auditors" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atmp46@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 06:57:58 -0800
Subject: Happy Year
World Bank Auditors
African Regional Office
Plot 16 Shehu Musa Way
Abuja Nigeria
Tel:+234 815 386 7001
OUR REF: PRS/COM/ATM-8807.
Attention:
You have no blame in whatever you feel or said based on how your fund was handled in the past and money was extorted from you without any progress on the fund transfer.
But I hope this is the time you have to bring out little trust and confidence out from your heart to trust somebody. Because it is written in the scripture, that without faith it is difficult to see God, and with faith one can move mountain.
I want you at this point we have reach to forget all what you have gone through in the past and lets face the future. I know a lot of people must have contacted you with sweet stories, but one thing is quite obvious, I am from a high respected financial organization and as well using my position and the name of God to try to prove a point to you so that you will understand my transparency .
The ATM CARD in your favor has been programmed and will be dispatched without further delay as you send the fee today.
Be also informed that a waiver has been granted in your favor to effect the delivery of the card to you home.
Kindly proceed and send the processing fee of $75 today.Send via western union in the receiving name as below
Name:Sydney Nwosu
Destination:Nigeria
Text Question:Done
Text Answer:Today
Forward the control number as you conclude.Please forward the information via SMS on my phone +234 815 386 7001.
I am working towards bringing back happiness in your life again.I guaranteed that all this years of agony in pursuance of this payment is over.
You should therefore bring out your mind and conclude with the payment today so as to proceed with the dispatch process.
Regards,
Dr.Larry Forte
(Payment Officer)
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Anti-fraud resources:
