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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "economic and financial crime commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS. FARIDA V.M WAZIRI:" <mrs_hajia_waziri@live.com>
Reply-To: mrs.farida.waziri089@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 14:05:30 +0100 (BST)
Subject: URGENT REPLY
DEAR SIR/MADAM,
I am compelled to write you in respect of your fund remittance, which
transfer has remained unsuccessful. Your fund is presently today being
investigated on your payment file and reason why your own fund of $7.5
million has been delayed.
Please are you still alive? Did you sign any DEED OF ASSIGNMENT in your
favour of this (MR.JOHN WHEELER) to receive your fund?
Re-confirm to us immediately and receive your over due approved payment
fund Upon your reply, I shall give you full details of your payment
(Details available with me). As this Investigation Bureau Office has
endorsed that the actual time for the final accomplishment of your fund is
now.
MRS. FARIDA V.M WAZIRI: (Chairman) Economic And
Financial Crime Commission (E.F.C.C INVESTIGATION)
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Anti-fraud resources:
