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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- drufrank001@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT <joywill22@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2015 21:51:30 +0000
Subject: Urgent attention needed
Dear,
Sequel to the first meeting between the President, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari with the newly appointed presidents advisers after the dissolution of the old cabinet of president Goodluck Jonathan.
The president Gen. Buhari who is now in charge as the president of Federal Republic of Nigeria has appointed a special presidential committee to henceforth handle all outstanding foreign payments in Nigeria with the mandate of settling all outstanding payments with the Nigeria government without any delay.
Ge. Buhari in his view of settling all outstanding payments without delay or any hitch has authorize the waving of all fees and charges meant to be paid by the beneficiaries no matter the amount and what for.
It was revealed that 100% of the delay in settling these cases is due to the inability of most beneficiaries to pay their financial obligations for the release of their funds which was as a result of their bad experiences with some officials who turned to scam them instead of helping them receive their payments.
Therefor you as the beneficiary of this fund $5.5M will not be required to make any upfront payment before receiving your payment.
The Federal government has waved all charges and fees from you,All you need to do is to contact the chairman presidential committee on foreign contract settlement and payment Dr. Ugo Frank. on email: drufrank001@hotmail.com. Dr.Ugo Frank will advice you on how to get the court clearance certificate for the waving of all your payment charges as approved by the presidency. This will cost you only $200.00 (Two hundred United States Dollars only).
Please contact Dr.Ugo Frank with the above stated email address to advice you on how to obtain the certificate with the said fee and on how to receive your funds ($5.5m) immediately you secure the court clearance cert as stated.
Please forward this letter to Dr. Ugo Frank for immediate action.
We sincerely apologize for the delay in releasing your funds.
Sincerely yours.
Mrs. Joy AndersonSpecial adviser to the president on foreign payments.
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