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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. )
- "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: The World Bank Group <impex_diplomatic_agency_2@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: dr.cofdil@careceo.com
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:21:54 +0100 (BST)
Subject: DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE
THE WORLD BANK
DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE
839 17TH ST. NW.
WASHINGTON, DC 20006. USA
Attn: Beneficary,
We announce to you that a meeting was held with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan)and the Minsiter of Finance at the Presidential Villa at Abuja.
We are happy to inform you that your long awaited fund have been reconciled and it is ready to be released to you. Take note that the only problem found in your payment file is the (INTERNATIONAL FUND CLEARANCE), it was agreed that the Beneficiary (YOU) shall be legally responsible for the security fee for obtaining the (INTERNATIONAL FUND CLEARANCE)as part of your only statutory obligation towards the release of your payment which is very vital and important for your own benefit.
The cost of obtaining the INTERNATIONAL FUND CLEARANCE is US$120 Dollars only. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan) and the Minister of Finance promised and Guarantee that your payment shall be released to you unfailingly in less than 24hours upon confirmation of the security fee of US$120 Dollars. You are hereby advised to send the fee through Western Union or Money Gram with the name provided below;
Name: Onyibor E.Chukwuma
Location: Lagos - Nigeria
Text Question: Security Code?
Text Answer: A100
Amount: US$120 Dollars
It may interest you to know that The World Bank, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have fully certify your payment to be released to you unfailingly as stipulated above. We advise
you to send the fee of US$120 Dollars as clearly advised above to redeem you payment within 24hours.
You are also advise to contact the special adviser to president "Dr. Charles Ofodile E-mail: { dr.cofdil@careceo.com } as soon as you finish making the payment and provide him with the payment information for urgent attention to your payment. Your maximum cooperation is highly anticipation.
Faithfully,
Ian Solomon
Executive Director
Debt Management Office
The World Bank Group
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Anti-fraud resources:
