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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:
- "money order " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "SECRET SHOPPER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <evaluation.team4@yahoo.cn>
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:12:40 -0600
Subject: BECOME A MYSTERY SHOPPER TODAY!
We are accepting applications for qualified individuals to become Secret
Shoppers.
Job Description:
- You will receive funding for the assignment.
- You will receive the Instruction for your assignment via email on the
location and details of the assignment.
- You are to complete the assignment as fast and discreetly as possible.
- You will be asked to visit a business location to conduct business be it a
restaurant, shopping store etc.
Payment Terms:
You will receive a flat sum of $300 per assignment. The company will furnish you
with all expense needed for the assignment and any other expense incurred during
the course of executing your assignment.
A cashier check or money order would be in a certain amount which you would be required to cash at your bank, deduct your salary($300), and have the rest used for the evaluation at the store that would be given to you to evaluate (A full description will be sent to you on your first assignment).
Note: You are to follow all instructions given to you to the fullest.
Kindly send your information below to proceed on first assighment to:
Personal Information
Full Name :
Full Address:
City:
State:
Zip/Postal code:
Home phone :
Cell phone:
Recent occupation:
Gender:
Personal Email Address:
It's fun and rewarding. There is no charge to become shopper and you do not need
previous experience and you would be paid $300 for every duty you carryout.
Regards,
Richard Tyler
Head of Recruitments.
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Anti-fraud resources:
