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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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: "Robert S. Mueller, III" <bankofafrcica@gmail.com>
Reply-To: goodservice00@superposta.com
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 07:04:10 -0800
Subject: From Federal Bureau Of Investigation FBI.WASHINGTON DC
Robert S. Mueller, III
Senior Office Department
Federal Bureau Of Investigation FBI.WASHINGTON DC
Know More About Me: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/executives/director
Good morning.
I resumed office some hours back and i received update from Mr. Andrew Hill
he told me There will be an International Flight today by 1.Pm and Mr. Andrew
Hill will act as your diplomat and deliver the package to you which will
take only 18 hours to get the package delivered.
Note: The package you will receive contain a Visa Credit Card which contain
$20 Million usd ,Master Credit Card which contain $200,000 and a
verified cashier check worth $3 Million usd with the required security
document which was made in your name as the sole owner and it also
include the security pin you will use to transact with both credit
cards.
The sum of $65 is required to enable Mr. Mike Ubah get a diplomatic
package seal with tag or else the International Airport customs will not
allow him to board the flight with the package and this diplomatic package
seal with tag will be made in your name as the owner of the package.
There is no much time left and the fee need to be paid today to enable him
board tonight flight and it wil take 18 hours to get the package delivered
to you.Send the $65 charge fee and get your package delivered within
18 hours and this will be the only fee and last fee required from you
toward this
transaction.
USE THE DETAILS BELOW TO SEND THE $65 VIA WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM MONEY
TRANSFER.
Receivers Name: Mike Ubah
Location: Cotonou Benin Republic
Text Question: To Whom
Text Answer: Mike Ubah
Amount: $65 Usd.
AWAIT YOUR REPLY AND THE REQUIRED PAYMENT CONFIRMATION DETAILS..
STAYS BLESS.
Robert S. Mueller, III
Senior Office Department
Federal Bureau Of Investigation FBI.WASHINGTON DC
Know More About Me: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/executives/director
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Anti-fraud resources:
