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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "United Nations" <unccom@foxmail.com>
Reply-To: unccom@qq.com
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 16:56:41 -0600
Subject: IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING YOUR FUND PAYMENT
Attention:
I am Prof. Dr. Michael Pryles United Nations Commissioner for Compensation
Commission Europe/America/Asia and Africa Region.
My office has been mandated with the obligation of ensuring that all
outstanding beneficiary are paid their long due benefits after going
through statutory Verification Process. This decision was reached after
after due consideration of the rigorous/difficult process engaged by
Banks/financial home and delivery agents/Courier companies in paying
beneficiaries.
You are hereby advised to put a stop to every communication you have with
either of the above mentioned bodies as a circular/instruction to quit
will be issued to them concerning your payment, this is to ensure you
focus with the processing of your payment with this office without being
interrupted and have your benefit released to you without further delay.
In order to conclude the verification Process on time you are required to
reconfirm the following information as listed below.
A) Full Name: Surname/Middle Name/ First Name
B) Address:
C) Date of Birth: Month / Day/ Year
D) Occupation:
E) Telephone/Mobile Numbers:
Finally understand that we do not intend to delay this process in anyway
as we have been mandated to release all benefits to beneficiaries and your
compliance will facilitate the quick release of benefits to you.
Prof. Dr. Michael Pryles
Commissioner,
United Nations Compensation Commission
Note: Please do not respond to this INQUIRY if you have no idea about the
above specified subject.
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Anti-fraud resources:
