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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:
- "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:" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <faridawaziri22@otmail.comh>
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:12:56 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY..
ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY
I am writing 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:
