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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:
- "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. )
- "huge sum of money" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- 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 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.
- financial_office@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: ben malaki <malakiben068@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2015 06:59:17 -0700
Subject: I am responsible for representing your outgoing pending inheritance/contract
Dear client,
I am responsible for representing your outgoing pending
inheritance/contract
funds approved by World Monetary Institution which has been delayed due
to the problem on cash movement and transfer of Huge sum of money. This is
to inform you that your payment has been effect through a new secure system
for making fast confirmed payments overseas .The account is set up under
your email address only. The money is in escrow for your receiver under
your email address and can not be recalled without the codes .
Diplomatic Cash Ventures should have sent you an email by now with details
such as when and where to pick up the cash. You can pick up the cash at any
of the convenient locations in your area. If there are no convenient
locations near you,so you are advice to pay $665,00 to enable your
money be transfer
the cash to Western Union, Money Gram, or others within 7 hours.
If you have not received your with drawers code yet please contact
E-MAIL: financial_office@aol.com to enable the
programming of your information in the micro chip compartment of
central computer and your code
will be send to you , when writing to customer services always include the
following information: Complete address:
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Tel number:
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Your receiver Email:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Your Transact Number: Are 1356990745
Transact Amount: $ 1.2 Million the rest amount follows immediately.
Text:
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call at office Mrs LORETTA +17323309806
Regards
Mr Mike
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Anti-fraud resources:
