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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:
- "consignment " (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.
Fraud email example:
From: MORRISON IRVIN <atm_payment_centre_benin@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: irvin.morrison@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:19:51 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: HOPE THIS IS CLEAR
Sir,
Listen, this is inform you that I have raised the sum of $200 for the signing of the departure papers. So I advise you to imediately send the balance of $120 to my wife so that she will pay it into my account and it will be credited to my VISA CARD. Now you to send the fee now so I shall complete it with the $200 now as we still have time to deliver your trunk before the expiration of this year.
Send the fee to
RECEIVERS NAME: OKEKE IJEOMA
PAYOUT DESTINATION: LAGOS NIGERIA
TEST QUESTION: FIRST NAME?
ANSWER: IJEOMA
AMOUNT:$120
You have to send it this morning so before 2pm I will be on my way with your consignment trunk. If you did not get the fee sent today, then by Saturday, I will leave your for trunk with the Homeland security here and go back as I wish to celebrate the New Year with my family.
Waiting urgently,
Morrison Irvin
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Anti-fraud resources:
