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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:
- "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. )
- "registration 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. )
- "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)
- 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: "International instant cash \(IIC\)\"" <officefile----6780@att.net>
Reply-To: interl.cash01@live.com
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 07:10:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: To collect the transferred cash.
Dear Sir   Â
International instant cash have all been authorized by the relevant
regulatory authority to transfer your over due payment . A
US$100,000.00 part payment was sent to you via traditionally money
outlets. To collect the transferred cash you must to top-up your
information. Topping up will make us include your details and provide
you
1. Pick up location bank
2. Secret pin
3. Authorisation document to cover your fund transfer
No card or accounts required just go to the bank with the information and your fund will be paid cash to you.
Please return the following information
Your full name...........
Country................
City..............
Zip code.............
Area code............
Telephone phone............
With a registration fee of US$48 which would establish your right to
collect this cash from our local agent bank in your area .the fee is
send my western union money transfer or Money gram with the information
herein.
Receivers name…………….. Enwereuzor I. Nwokedi
Country …………………… Benin Republic
Question.....................What?
Answer....................Cash.
Amount......................$48
MTCN....................................
Senders Name:......................................
Your claim cannot be considered if any portion of this information is
not completed and returned with the required free MTCN. Please allow 24
hours for processing after receipt of your request.
Waiting to hear from you soon.
Thank you ,
Miss Joy Ada
International instant cash (IIC)
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Anti-fraud resources:
