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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:
- "service fee" (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. )
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: John Smith <mrbobworker200@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrdavidpaulx1@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:28:17 -0800 (PST)
Subject: URGENT
Attn. Sir/Madam,
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This is to inform you that your payment of $9.500, 000.00 (Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only) is ready and we have opened an ATM account for you in your favour, your ATM card is ready to use in your country kindly come to our office and collect your ATM card.
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NB: This ATM card is made for three (3) transactions in a day and after that you have to wait for the next day for another transaction; the maximum amount to be withdrawn at a time is $5,000.00 (Five Thousand Dollars only) and always remember your PIN code number very important.
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If you cannot be able to come for one reason or the other you are required to send your mailing address where you’re ATM card will be sent to you and $750 for insurance and courier service fee, to enable us send the ATM card to your home/office immediately.
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Your urgent response is needed.
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Thanks.
Mr.Bob Worker
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Anti-fraud resources:
