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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "application fee" (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. )
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Richard Wampah" <richardwghi@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 12:22:45 +0100
Subject: SUPPLIERS INQUIRY..
*There is an ongoing Tender in Ghana Procurement Commission here in West
Africa for the supply of various Items.This Tender is open to Foreign
suppliers whose company products meet international standards and also
willing to bid for a tender and if your not interested to bid please do not
reply.*
*Terms of Payment: If the Order is given to you, An upfront payment of 80%
(T/T) will be made to your account, while 20% will be paid before shipment.*
*Interested company must also understand that (official necessary tender
registration application fee with the Government of Ghana Under
Procurement Commission (GGPC) must be paid immediately Or during
submission of your bidding documents), it is very important for the
bidding companies to enhance your credibility and guaranty your chance of
winning the projects and also create a direct room for the Supplier and
End- Buyer to have all access for mutual communication with the Contract
Procurement Tender Board committee to seal a deal.*
*I am a commission agent, Please note that you should provide us with your
price list and specification and also include our 2% commission as your
agent in your price of products list with additional 0.5% provision to
cover all the expenses both parties will incurred during the bids so that
we cover everything, I have a contact that will assist your company to get
the project Order only follow the rules.*
*Regards*
*Mr.Richard Wampah*
*Crown Agents Ghana*
*6th Floor, Premier Towers*
*Mobile:+233-241-568-189*
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Anti-fraud resources:
