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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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "fedexclaimsoffice11@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "Fedex Courier Services." <info@fedex.com>
Reply-To: fedexclaimsoffice11@ymail.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 22:04:43 -0500
Subject: Read Carefully And Contact:Mr.Mike Robert.
Dear Customer,
This email is coming to you as a reminder concerning your pending package
that has been with us for a long time. As you already know that this
package is containing an International Certified Bank Draft in your name
and in the amount of $2.5 million usd.
This email is to let you know that our delivery team has finally carried
out delivery of your package. The package left Lagos Nigeria on June 28th,
2012 and since on the 1th of Junly, 2012 it has been in Memphis awaiting
custom clearance.
To track your package, go to www.fedex.com and insert the tracking number
below to view delivery status.
www.fedex.com
Tracking Number: 875531681014
On the tracking page you will see that this package is going to a wrong
address. This is because you have refused to give us your cooperation. You
are hereby adviced to provide us with the below details so we can
immediately have it sent out to our deliverymen in Memphis.
Your Name(In Full):______________________________________
Your Delivery Address:___________________________________________
Your Direct telephone Number:______________________________
Please note that you are required to provide a redirection fee of $70
which you are to make available to this office via WESTERN UNION or
MONEYGRAM INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER in the name of our accounting officer
stated below.
RECEIVER'S NAME: ..................MARVIS OSAZEE
RECEIVER'S ADDRESS: ..............LAGOS-NIGERIA
QUESTION: .....................OUR COLOUR
ANSWER:.......................RED
M.T.C.N:.................To be Made Available After Payment
Upon receiving your correct details and the payment MTCN from you, we will
immediately notify our regional depot and the Airport Authorities in USA
so that the package will be redirected to your correct address
immediately.
Give me a call on +234 30 4150-30. This is important and as such your
immediate response will do you Good.
You can also email our dispatch office at : fedexclaimsoffice11@ymail.com
Management,
Mr.Mike Robert.
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Anti-fraud resources:
