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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. )
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "million us 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)
- "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: Finance-house-service-us <rmromyns@snet.net>
Reply-To: infocomttaxx@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 00:57:48 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Bail out.
Dear valued customer,
During our usual security enhancement protocol check, we observed multiple login attempt into your transfer of $15.5 million us dollars that is designated to be in your bank account today.
We have believe that someone other than you is trying to access your $15.5 million us dollars designated to your account.
For security reasons, we have temporarily suspend your transfer into your account and in other to have your transfer completed to your account you must secure a new security access code which will cost you only the sum of $91 only to secure your self a new security access code without which your transfer will never commence nor will it be completed and you will never have access to your fund as you will be restricted if access if you fail to update your security access code now.
To secure your New security access code now you must pay the sum of $91 only to the payment details below by western union or money gram.
Receivers Name: Favour Eke
Receivers Address: Lagos/Nigeria
Text Question: Bail
Text Answer: Out
Amount: $91 only
Mtcn Number:
Make the payment now and send back to us the payment details so that your New Security Access Pass Code Is Secured Immediately, released and forwarded back to you to enable you track and protect your transfer.
Please Note:
Always look before entering your New Pass code.
Remember, we are committed to your security and protection.
Mrs. Rose McVay.
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Anti-fraud resources:
