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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. )
- "lagos" (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: Oliva Castaneda <OlivaCastaneda@textilia-ltd.com>
Reply-To: claimcenter@live.com
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:34:49 +0100
Subject: You have a shipment with (UPS)
United Parcel Service
1000 Semmes Avenue
P.O. Box 1216
Richmond, VA 23218-1216
Dear Client,
We officially wish to anounce to you that your package has been released for delivery which shall be deliver to you within the next 2 working days from today, so therefore you are to urgently send your package Agency Clearing & Review fee of $99.00 to Nigeria as your package originated country with the information stated below through western union OR Money Gram.
Name of receiver:Gloria Anthony
Address: Lagos-Nigeria
TEST QUESTION: When
TEST ANSWER- Now
Amount: $99
However here is your package tracking number: 1Z10Y9E80494756498 you are to log on through our official website www.ups.com for your tracking review and better clearification.
Please note that you have 2 working days to effect the payment as to enable us complete the delivery before the weekend.
Also note that you are to provide us the payment confirmation details/attached receipt of the payment as soon as it been sent for our own records.
Best Regards,
Miss. Dixon Williams
Dispatching Officer.
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Anti-fraud resources:
