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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:
- "clearance 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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Office of the President" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <awillard@financier.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:25:01 -0700
Subject: US$121 MILLION PAYMENT.
Sir,
Re; Release of US$121 Million Contract Inheritance fund.
Mr. President mandated me to inform you that he has taken full control of your transaction and will see for the successful completion of your Funds Release whence you will comply to pay the Final Regulatory Clearance Fee of US$7,200 immediately. This is omly legal solution for your overdue payment delays and unwanted demands for various payments. Kindly cooperate and effect the payment as directed to enable the New Finance Minister credit your nominate Bank Account the total Approved Funds within 48hrs of your payment. He solicit for your kind understanding to enable him serve you better. Request us to reconfirm the Account when you are about effecting the payment of US$7,200 only. inform us of any information you receive henceforth regarding your transaction for us to confirm its authenticiity and legality to avoid misdirection of your funds/ information. Confirm your payment details to avoid mistakes and call us on our direct line or furnish your number so that we will talk to you ASAP.
Thanks for your anticipated Co-operation.
Sincerely.
Amb. Hassan Tukur,
Principal Secretary to the President;
For;
H.E.Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR).
President and Commander in-chief.
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
gej2011@blumail.org
This email may contain information which is privileged and confidential. If you have received this message in error, please notify
the sender immediately
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Copyright (c) 2011: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA. All rights
reserved.
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Anti-fraud resources:
