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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. )
- "00,000.00" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "GE Artesia Bank Of Netherland." <fcmbank.group.plc2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrskatherine.creamer004@outlook.com
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:16:59 +0100
Subject: VERY URGENT MESSAGE!!!
Address: Keyenburg 189,3085KA
Rotterdam, Netherland.
Website: www.GeArtesiabank.org
Tel: +3165766103
This is officially inform you about the final conclusion we had
with the US president Barrack Obama at the Netherland Government house
regarding your over stayed payment.
A sum of $500,000.00 was assigned today to be release to you so that
you will stop hunting for money on the internet which will help to
less the high rate of scam victim in the world.
The money will be delivered to you via ATM VISA CARD so that you will
receive the ATM VISA CARD peacefully to avoid any problem by the IMF.
Here is your ATM VISA CARD information.
CARD Serial Number: 9187154990016451
Pin Code: xxx 2713 xxx
Keep this above information very carefully to avoid double
claim.
You are to Adhere to the Western Union now and send the Delivery
charge of your parcel so that we can dispatch it immediately.
The delivery charge is $85 which you have to send with this information.
Receiver's Name: Anthony Wanga
Address: Rotterdam Netherland.
Text Question: Final
Answer: Fee
You are to send the fee immediately so that every thing will be
resolved and the Tracking information will be release to you once the
fee is received.
Get back to me with the payment details of the $85 and your name and
address to commence the delivery once the fee is received.
Regards.
Mrs Katherine Creamer
Bank Manager.
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Anti-fraud resources:
