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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:
- "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 transfer control number" (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. )
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "DR. ANGEL SMITH" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pastormarkrichard@yahoo.com.sg>
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2016 08:10:23 -0300
Subject: WHY ARE YOU KEEPING ME IN THE DARK.
I pray you receive this mail in good condition of health and mind.
I would like to know what to do now because i have just been contacted that your parcel is expected to be delivered to you with the current set of parcels on the list and you have to make up for the payment so that the atm card will leave to it destination.
You are to send the money with our Account Officer name below (Mr.Ebere Obinna) via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
Receiver Name:............................Ebere Obinna
Receiver Address:.........................Lagos Nigeria.
You are to send the necessary details via e-mail to me so that we can confirm your payment which you made via Western Union and send to us
this details below:
Sender's Name............................
Sender's Address.........................
Expected Amount...........................$110
Text Question:........................... In God
Text Answer:............................. We Trust
Money Transfer Control Number(M.T.C.N)
Make sure you send to me the payment information which was given to you via WESTERN UNION,
You are advised to make the payment so that you can receive your atm card through the FedEX Courier Company and immediately you receive the card you should
go to any atm machine of your choice close to you to start cashing your money from it,
You have absolutely nothing to worry about has if you follow my directives.
I await your urgent response,
Best Regards,
Pastor Mark Richard.
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Anti-fraud resources:
