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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:
- "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)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- "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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Buayik Shanka" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bfgw887@w.cn>
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 07:01:56 -0700
Subject: YOUR GREAT REWARD.
THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY AUTHORITY (IMA)
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (HON. BUAYIK SHANKA)
IMA HEAD-QUARTERS JOHANNEBURG,
SOUTH AFRICA 856-9753
The international monetary authority was greatly criticized by United Nations during the annual submit on the 11th of May 2012. The board of directors and members of IMA deemed fit to rectify the good image of this continent (AFRICA); hence we are rewarding victims of natural disasters, political crisis and scam victims. We have made a budget of five billion, three hundred and fifty eight million US dollars US$5.358B to cover this task. However, we advice you reply this message with your complete details, also attach working ID card or driver's license for identification. It may interest you to know that you will be receiving the total sum of three million eight hundred and fifty thousand US dollars US$3.850M via certified bank draft.
Kindly accept our sympathy and be rest assured that your certified bank draft will be physically confirmed in your hands within 24hrs on the receipt of your complete details.
Hon. Buayik Shanka
President, International Monetary Authority
IMA Head-Quarters Johannesburg
South Africa 856-9753
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Anti-fraud resources:
