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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (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: smith ross <accessbankonline101@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:17:46 -0700
Subject: RELEASE OF YOUR FUND AMOUNT TO THE TUNE OF $15MILLION
ACCESS BANK OF NIGERIA
Power Road Studios
114 Power Road
Lagos Nigeria
RELEASE OF YOUR FUND AMOUNT TO THE TUNE OF $15MILLION
ATTN,Beneficiary
We wish to Notify you that we receive a credit instruction from United
Nations debt reconciliation to transfer the above mention amount to your
position via any of this means of payment.
to show you that we are to pay just reconfirm your bank details so
they will not be any mistake to show if it matches this one ,
below is our mode of payment
1: online bank transfer
2: diplomatic immunity delivery
3: ATM master card delivery
4: certified bank draft
so let us know the best suitable means for you to receive your funds
to facilitate with this exercise you are
hereby
advice to fill this questioner under listed and send back to us as quickly
as possible.
Your Full Name__________________________ _____________
Your Address_______________________ ______________________________
Your Age___________________________ _______________________
Your Direct Telephone Number__ ______________________ ________________
Fax Number________________________ _________________
Occupation____________________ __________________________
A scan copy of your Identification ATTACHED
We sincerely apologies for our late contact with you, We are committed to
serve you better
Yours in service
Mr. Ross Smith.
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Anti-fraud resources:
