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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:
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "central bank of nigeria" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: FRANK MIKE <music@online.ee>
Reply-To: mike01frank01@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2016 16:03:43 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION CONTRACT..
ATTENTION CONTRACTOR:....
You are the next on the list of the outstanding contractors as the awarded
contractor to receive his contract payment of the sum of USD$34.8 million d=
ollars only, is awarded by the Federal Government of Nigeria. I am to Infor=
m you of this from my office by the Central Bank of Nigeria today so that y=
ou will be inform About this your fund USD$34,800,000.00, the bank as assig=
ned a Bank Wire Transfer into your bank account for your funds From foreign=
CBN Bank Payment Department and you can receive your awarded fund by Bank =
to Bank Transfer OR Delivery to your home. Get back to me with your informa=
tion in return mail, please let me know.
1. YOUR NAME:......................
2. YOUR FULL ADDRESS:..............
3. YOUR TELEPHONE .................
4. FAX.............................
5. AGE.............................
6. SEX:............................
7. YOUR OCCUPATION:................
8. YOUR BANKING DETAILS:...........
The nearest international airport in your home :>>
You=2019re ID-card or an international pass port requested from you for a S=
imple identity.
We are waiting for your urgent response in this regard.
GET BACK TO ME SOON.
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND GOOD GOD BLESS YOU.
REGARDS.
MR. FRANK MIKE.
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Anti-fraud resources:
