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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:
- 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)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: Edward Mansah <edwardmansah@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 May 2012 21:46:50 +0100
Subject: update
We decided to communicate with you through this medium as per instruction
by United Nations to inform you of the recovery of your consignment by
United Nations Consignment Recovery Committee after series of meetings
between Members of Economic West African States(Ecowas) and G8 Committee to
release said recovered consignment to their bonafide beneficiaries through
an authorized paying bank.
To get your file send across to the paying bank,you will be required to
forward to us the followings: copy of your valid identification, your
office & home address, telephone numbers and your banking details to enable
us facilitiate the transfer document.
This instruction is urgent so do not hesitate or delay to send the
requirement to avoid unnecessary delays.
Best regards.
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Anti-fraud resources:
