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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: " Dr James Williams " <dr2@mnon.uk.tn>
Reply-To: <sylvesteregoma@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2016 06:15:53 -0700
Subject: Congratulations
Congratulations,
your email has been selected among other winners who are to be compensated in this year 2015/2016 scam victims compensation program.This compensation program was sponsored by the ECO-WAS/UNITED NATIONS with Central Bank to pay victims of scam the sum of $4.5 million (Four million and five hundred thousand dollars) Each. Your your payment code is UBA/0852, You are to send the following information for remittance.
Do choose your payment method from the 3 listed method below
(1) ATM Card
(2) Cash in a consignment box
(3) Bank to Bank transfer
Confirm to me below information;
Your Name.________
Address._________
Phone no.________
Country._____________
Occupation:__________
A copy of your ID card:__________
I believe you will read and understand my letter as I look forward to your reply
United Nation Project Office
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Anti-fraud resources:
