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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 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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: presidency overdue <presidencyoverduecontractpayment@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:18:50 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: DEAR { VALUE BENEFICIARY
DEAR { VALUE BENEFICIARY {
By the power of my office as the new President of Federal Republic Nigeria having taken over from the late President Umaru Musah Yar Dua on Thursday being 6thy of May 2010, I have to inform you that while going through files of unpaid funds by this government, I came across your file on payment of fund valued at 15,000,000.00US$ and have picked interest and verified the cause of delays which are well noted. I have resolved for two options to pay you :
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1. Through a fully loaded International Visa ATM card. In this arrangement The Visa card will be loaded with your outstanding fund value immediately by accredited bank Intercontinental bank PLC and will be dispatched and all relevant access information to enable you withdraw cash from any ATM machine of your choice and transfer to any account of your choice will be made available to you. If this is acceptable by you kindly provide me the with your physical home address immediately. If this arrangement is not pleased to you kindly let me know. I am handling this directly call me upon receipt. Be reminded that your part here is only the courier cost to get it to your country.
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2. Alternatively you will receive your fund in cash through diplomatic cash consignment delivery. In This arrangement an assigned diplomat will fly to your address and make a cash consignment delivery to you this consignment will be sealed and marked diplomatic consignment with immunity and will not be scanned or checked by any security agency until it gets to your given address. Also the assigned diplomat will not be made to know the content of the consignment.
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If this is acceptable by you kindly provide me the international airport and local airport nearest to your address and your physical home address immediately with your cell phone number. If this arrangement is not pleased to you kindly let me know. I am handling this directly call me upon receipt of this e-mail.
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Be informed that all the fees are paid the only money required of you is $58.80 Only been for cost of delivery charge to enable the courier service Agent to deliver it to your door step.
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Therefore, go as soon as you read this e-mail and send the $58.80 by western union or money gram once bank opens in your country today to the name below;
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Receiver's Name; { EMMANUEL NWOKE
Lagos Nigeria;
Question; Best color?
Answer; Green;
Amount to send; $58.80 Only;
Mtcn................?
Sender's name./Country................. ...?
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Note that this is the only money you have to pay to receive your funds via ATM CARD or Cash Diplomtic delivery. Make your choice and forward the mtcn upon your reply.
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Thank you as i wait your urgent repy as i have no time to waste on one transaction because i have lot to do. So for your own good make the payment upon your reply forward the mtcn and sender's name/Country
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Yours Comma nder In Chief.,
President And Commander in Chief Of The Armed Forces Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria
Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan
CC REV MRS HELEN PAGE
SPECIAL ADVISER ON FOREIGN PAYMENT
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Anti-fraud resources:
