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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:
- "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. )
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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: "UNITYTRUST Bank PLC." <unitytrustbank.dept@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 21:05:41 +0000
Subject: PROMPT RESPONSE FROM UNITY TRUST BANK
Hello,
This is to inform you that our bank has been give the full mandate and
authority to transfer the sum of $35, 000,000 Thirty-five Million United
States Dollars to your Designated banking account of which this mandate
and authority was given to us by the Public Monetary Transfer Department.
However,we have confirm the information given to us by relevant authority
and they true and you are to send to us your bank details so that your
funds can be transfer to your bank account with immediate effect and you
have to also to proceed to western union to get this fee paid at once.
I WILL PROCEED TO COURT FOR THE LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION AS SOON AS YOU
SEND THE FOLLOWING:
1. YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS:
2. YOUR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
3. YOUR BANK NAME AND ADDRESS:
4. THE ACCOUNT INFORMATION WHERE YOU WANT THE FUND TO TRANSFER INTO:
5. YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION:
6. A COPY OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT/ DRIVER LICENSE.
NOTE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS GIVE A DEADLINE OF 14 BANK WORKING
DAYS FOR ALL THE FOREIGN CUSTOMERS TO CONCLUDE THERE TRANSACTION WITH THIS
BANK, OTHERWISE THE FUND WILL BE RETURNED TO THE FEDERAL TREASURY AS
UNCLAIMED FUND.
NOTE ALSO, THIS TRANSACTION MUST BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL BECAUSE OF
IT'S NATURE.
Thanks you very much for your understanding we look forward to a successful
transfer of your fund.
REGARD
Rev.David Moon.
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Anti-fraud resources:
