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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "activation 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. )
- "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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: Offce File <file.fcle@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Offce File <accsplcbk@qq.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:21:23 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Payment Update...
Dear Friend,
How are you today and your family? I hope all is well?
We have waited for so long to contact us for your PAYMENT but you have not respond. I wish to let you know because your file payment ACCOUNT is about to disconnect, left only 3-days deadline and which only opportunity you have.
Please what are you saying? you should get back because the amount has been reduce and all you need to pay is $87.00 only to re-activate your file then the money will be transferred to your account.
Get back please against deadline as to enable us meet up your transfer, also remember to include your banking account details where you want us to transfer (US$1.920.000.00) then you can send the ACTIVATION Fee $87.00 use below information to send Via Money Gram, Hurry please as to enable us meet up.
Send it Via Money Gram or Western Union In our head office Nigeria:
1. Receiver Name: ======= DOZIE DOMINIC
2. City===== LAGOS
3. Country: ====== NIGERIA
4. Question======== WHO IS ABLE?
5. Answer: ======== GOD
6. Amount: ======== US $87.00
7. Sender's Names:====
8. Sender's Address: ====
9. Contact Address: =====
10. MTCN: (_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _)?
I am waiting for the MTCN and make sure you Call me once your send the money Tel:+2348167148894.
Also re-confirm your account Information please very important.
As soon as the payment received today, your money will be transferred in 3-hours time, that is my promise because this is only opportunity you have to receive your payment.
Mr.Jack William..
Access Bank Plc Managing Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
