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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:
- "account opening" (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. )
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "foreign payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Debt Management Office" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ash1mail@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 07:25:03 -0700
Subject: Attention: Unpaid Beneficiarie,
Debt Management Office
PAYMENT OPTIONS;
Payment Code: R5780906K
Attention: Unpaid Beneficiarie,
We have received an approval document forwarded to our office from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to effect an immediate payment of $5.5million USD (five Million five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)to you. Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a payment of $5.5million.It has been approved already for you through your preferred option.
Basically,there are three (3) options for us to get your fund transferred to you.
These options include :
1. Bank To Bank Transfer
2. Bank Account Opening
3. official delivery of Bank draft to your door step.
Please respond to this email by making a selection from the (3) options above. Your funds are protected by a hardcover insurance policy.
You are to make your preferred choice from the three options above.
We anticipate your prompt response.
Please re- confirm the following;
1.Your Full Name:
2.Your Address:
3. Telephone Number:
4.Fax Number:
http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/chron/mds.asp
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. John C Smith .
Debt Management Office
Head of Foreign Payment Department /DMO Office.
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Anti-fraud resources:
