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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)
- "into your nominated bank 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- federalministry64@yahoo.com.au (Yahoo, Australia; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Deckson Verner." <usmanlambo@gmail.com>
Reply-To: federalministry64@yahoo.com.au
Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 15:46:51 +1200 (NZST)
Subject: Contact Person: Mr. Burice Takus.
I must apologize for keeping your total money with the bank since all this
while. It is my pleasure to inform you that the bank board of trustee has
finally agreed to transfer your total sum of $1.5m USD to you after the
indoor meeting.
However we have about three method or options of the funds delivery which
i will state to you below and would want you to choose any of the options
and send your information immediately to enable us proceed with the
option.
Note that it is the federal ministry of finance will handle the transfer
this time around to avoid any complain or inches ok. below are the
options you need to choose,
1. Sending the funds as a consignment to your home address by the delivery
companies.
2. Loading the total money into ATM Visa card and send it to you address.
3. Bank to bank wire transfer into your nominated bank account.
Let me hear from you as soon as possible on any of the options above and
lets proceed without wasting much time, once more am sorry for the delay
since all this while. Moreover the below address is the address of the
ministry that will handle the transaction after you might have choose your
option.
Contact Person: Mr. Burice Takus.
E-mail: [ federalministry64@yahoo.com.au ]
Let me hear from you asap.
Thank You
Mr Deckson Verner.
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Anti-fraud resources:
