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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:
- "security keeping 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. )
- "headquater" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: praise cruz <praisecruz@yahoo.pt>
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2014 18:53:30 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: ATM CARD IS REGISTERED
Attention:Dear
I have registered your ATM CARD of US$1.7 Million with Courier Company
withregistration code of(Shipment Code awb 33xzs).please Contact with
yourdelivery information such as,
Your Name, ==Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Your Address and ==Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
YourTelephone Number: ==Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
IDENTIFICATION CARD COPY==Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Note that you will only pay for the security keeping fee .
Shiping company Office:
Name of Dir:Mr.Ali Yusuf,
UNITED NATION NIGERIA CHAPTER
E-mail (ecowasheadquaterghana@outlook.com)
Tel;Tel; +233263105996.
Best Regards,
Mr Praise Cruz
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Anti-fraud resources:
