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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. )
- "million us 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- ministryoffin02@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: MININSTER FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTERY <officemark1975@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ministryoffin02@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:48:31 -0700
Subject: Re: PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION
From.Hon. Dr. Garuba Gambo
Minister Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Maputo Street Zone 3
WUSE- PORTO NOVO-BENIN REPUBLIC.
Re: PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION,
Are you aware that your transfer worth $1.5 million us dollars which we
effected out to you two weeks ago have been returned back by the IMF OFFICE
IN LONDON? This was surprising to us that is why we are contacting you now.
Nevertheless, we have asked why and thy said you failed to secure your IRS
CERTIFICATE, this we immediately informed the presidency about and he has
granted you a waiver on your behalf for your IRS CERTIFICATE.
This is to say you a very lucky person to be granted a waiver from the
presidency's office, to this effect you are expected and required to pay
only the sum of $49 which is meant for the re-activation of your transfer
on our network for the immediate transfer of your fund to you today.
So Please run down to the nearest western union and have the $49 paid
immediately to this details below.
Receivers name: NWAETAEGOOZIBO RER FAVOR
Destination:Benin Republic
City:Porto novo
Text question: Very
Text answer; Lucky
Amount: $49
Go now and make the payment and have the details forwarded to this office
now so that your transfer can be effected into your bank account before
3.30 pm your local time today.
Respond fast as Your quick response will definitely go a long way as
regards your transfer.
Waiting for your reply soon.Please you have only 24hours to make this
payment or we shall cancel your transaction
Yours Sincerely.
Hon. Dr. Garuba Gambo
FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER.
Contact email: ministryoffin02@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
