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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:
- "certificate 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. )
- "affidavit of claim" (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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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: "From Mrs. Natalie Woods." <unitpayment41@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: unitpayment32@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:42:52 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: From.Mrs. Natalie Woods.
From.Mrs. Natalie Woods.
Minister, Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Maputo Street Zone 3,
Wuse- Abuja-Nigeria.
Sir/Madam,
Re: PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION.,
After a brief meeting this morning i took out time to plead on your
behalf for a fee reduction which have been accepted to have every and
any fee needed to secure your affidavit of claim certificate fee reduced
to the sum of only $60 from what so ever amount that may have been
requested and required of you.
So do your best to raise the $60
now and go immediately you receive this e-mail and send the $60 to the
details below so that we will be able to commence and complete your
transfer today into any bank account of your choice before the close of
working hours today okay.
As such you are to Please run down to the nearest western union and
have the only required $60 paid immediately to this details below.
Receivers name: Victor Harry
Text question: Best
Text answer; interest
Amount: $60
Destination: Lagos / Nigeria
Senders name:
Senders address:
Mtcn number:
Go
now and make the payment and have the details forwarded to this office
now so that your transfer can be effected into your bank account before
3.30 pm your local time today.
Confirm the receipt of this e-mail by you immediately and be rest assured you will be smiling to your bank today.
Your quick response will definitely go a long way as regards your transfer.
Waiting for your reply soon.
Yours Sincerely.
Mrs. Natalie Woods.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER.
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