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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:
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "contract review panel" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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: "Engr. Michael Douglas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <engr.michaeldouglas403@yahoo.de>
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 18:43:21 -0400
Subject: Hello
Sir,
I am Engr.Michael Douglas the Chairman Contract review panel of Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC),I am solicits for your assistance in moving some Funds out of my Country for our mutual benefit.This panel is to review/subsequently recommendation given to all duly Executed Contracts awarded to "Foreign/Local Contractors for the past Twelve Yrs.We found out that it was deliberately over-invoiced by the then "Contract Awarding Committee before they were dissolved. The former Goodluck Ebele Jonathan President has no knowledge of this sum; neither does the dissolved committee have any access to these Funds again.
You have no reason to be afraid whatsoever.Only if you can assure me of your sincerity to co-operate with me that you will not run away with after you must receive the Funds. We will also discuses the percentage as soon as I receive your wiliness/assurance that you will matain top Secret.if you are interested to work with me kindly send the following information via return Email:
Full Name________
Your Contact Address____________
Direct Cell-phone Number________
State________
City________
Zip Code________
Age/Occupation________
A copy of your Identity________
Your Bank Name________
Bank Account Number________
Banking Routing Number________
Swift Code________
Bank Address________
I am waiting for your most urgent Email or call me on this number:Tel: +234-8181439063
With Much Regards
Engr. Michael Douglas
Chairman Contract
Review Panel (N.N.P.C)
Tel: +234-8181439063
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Anti-fraud resources:
