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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "DR MANSUR MUHTAR" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <muhtar.mansur61@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2010 02:13:52 -0700
Subject: OUTSTANDING PAYMENT OF US$15.8MILLION IN YOUR FAVOUR.
Attn:- SIR/MADAM,
Base On The Series Of Complians And Petitions Gathered From Our Foreign Contractors Concerning Their Contract Fund.
Be In Formed That The Federal Government Of Nigeria Has Manted A Communication Gadget On Our Tele-Communication System To Mornitors And Tracked Down Alls Phone Calls And Email Messages That Are Going To All These Fakes Top Government Officials Who Claim To Be What They Are Not Thereby Collecting All Sorts Of Charges/Fees From Our Foreign Contractors And Used It For Their Home Comsuption.
You Are Warn To Stop Any Further Communication Either By Phone Or Emails From Diplomat For Your Payment Is Not Coming Through Cash Payment Again And Your Consignment Has Come Back To Nigeria Due To Fraudulent Activities Alleged By Diplomat, Please You Are Advise Not To Pay Any Money To Them Again For Security Reasons. And If You Paid Money To Them You Will Not Hold This Government Responsible Of Any Lost Of Money And Should Be At Your Own Risk.
Morealso, They Are Tarnishing The Image Of Our Beloved Country Nigeria By Impensinating The Name And Offices Of Top Government Officials By Using Their Offices To Collect Money From Our Foreign Contractors, So Beware And Be Wise For Diplomat Is A Scam.
As A Matter Of Urgency, You Are Directed To Contact This Office Of The Finance Minister For More Details Concerning Your Payment Since The SCHEDULE Has Change.
NOTE:- Your Payment Will Be Through ATM Debit Cash Card.
Treat Very Urgent.
Dr. Mansur Muhtar.
Finance Minister(fmf).
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Anti-fraud resources:
