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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:
- "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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: William Raymond <ofile396@gmail.com>
Reply-To: William Raymond <imf1010consultant@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 07:30:05 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Payment Review Unit
Debt Reconciliation Office
Payment Review unit EFCC
Payment Review Unit
I am surprise i did not hear from you as expected,well this is unbelievable.For your information United Nations IMF Central Bank , is in hurry to conclude this transaction your favor, my office have perfected good arrangement for this $10.5M to be released in your name as soon as we hear from you.
We have been mandated and committed to release this approve US$10.5Milion in your name. so i implore you again today to comply to the tone of this mail to enable us release this $10.5Million in your account.
everything is under control with intervention of United Nations and IMF we have been able to correct the error that has been stopping you from receiving this approved US$10.5M. United Nations International Monitoring Fund IMF have made it easy for you to received this US$10.5M by mandating our office to accept US$150.00 handling fee.
In our meeting in with IMF representative and United Nations the outgoing transfer will be release as soon as you comply with this office. in our meeting it was approved and stamp for the approved payment to be release within 24banking hours we confirm the handling charges of US$150.00
Use the following information correctly and send the fee Via Money Gram to enable us felicitate the release of the fund in your name.
RECEIVER'S NAME:OKECHUKWU .M. JOSEPH
ADDRESS: LAGOS NIGERIA
TEST QUESTION: WHITE
ANSWER: BLACK
CORRECT AMOUNT: US$150.00
Waiting for payment mtcn........
We need the following information to start the processing of releasing the approved fund in your favor.
)Name:
2)Address:
3)Tel:
4)Age:
5)Sex:
6)Occupation Status:
7)Your Bank details
The approved $10.5Million will be release to you either by ATM CARD OR WIRE BANK TRANSFER so you are free to choose the option you wish to received this approved payment from Payment Review unit .
Thanks
William Raymond
Reconciliation Office
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Anti-fraud resources:
