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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:
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cashiers check" (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. )
- "payoffcenter@blumail.org" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "UN Assisted Program" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <payoffcenter@blumail.org>
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2014 06:37:57 -0500
Subject: Do contact Remond Bute Now
United Nations Assisted Program
Directorate of International Payment
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500.
Fund Beneficiary,
The united nation (U.N ) is running an assisted program as it was
signed in an agreement with the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT during our
first meeting this year with our PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA and the FBI
to fight against this and to return all contract funds that has been
stolen and people who has been scammed too.
it has been acknowledged that your e-mail address was found among the
list of people that have been scammed by Nigerian Fraudsters
together with the UK Fraudsters and you have a share from the
compensation.
A total sum of ($45.7.5million) united state dollars in cash has been
set aside for compensation which will be shared among the victim of
scam and your email address has been detected as one of the people who
has been scammed.
It has been acknowledged you that your e-mail address was found among
the list of foreigner that have been scammed by Nigerian Fraudsters
and you have a share from the compensation fee.
A total sum of ($45.7.5million) united state dollars in cash has been
set aside for compensation which will be shared among the victim of
scam
You have two options to receive your payment which is either a Pin
Based ATM card or Certified Cashiers Check. You are advised to select
one out of the two options on how you wish to receive
compensation/money. Your ATM card or Check/Bank Draft will be shipped
via FedEx Shipping Company and would get to you within 2 to 3 working
days at most.
DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS:
The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is $225.99 but because
Fedex have temporarily discontinued the C.O.D which gives you the
chance to pay when package is delivered for international shipping as
stated on their website.
We had to sign contract with them for bulk shipping which makes the
fees reduce from the actual $225.99 to $95 nothing more and no hidden
fees of any sort! You are advised to contact the dispatch officer
responsible for the shipping of your Check or ATM card with the
following information for shipping of your payment Check or ATM card.
Dispatch Officer: Dr.Raymond Bute
Email: payoffcenter@blumail.org
Telephone: +12152974090
And provide him with the following information:
Your full Name.................
Your Address:.................
Home/Cell Phone:...................
Preferred Payment Method (Check or ATM):................
The dispatch officer will provide you with instructions on how you are
to make payment of the $95.99 ( Ninety Five Dollars only) for the
shipping of your ATM card or Cashier’s Check.
Remember that you are not paying any fees extra no matter what.
Respectfully,
Ban Ki-moon
UN Secretary-General
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Anti-fraud resources:
