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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:
- "cost of transfer" (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. )
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- "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: "Levent Bilman" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <foreign.payments@onet.eu>
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2016 13:12:14 -0800
Subject: Payment Notification
United Nation Compensation Commission
UNCC Secretariat
Villa la Pelouse
Palais des Nations
8-12 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland.
Sir,
YOUR INHERITANCE PAYMENT IS BY CASH SEE DETAIL
The decision we have taken to finally address constrains or bottle-necks we encounter at transferring your fund by bank-transfer we have resolved at exclusive meeting held Federal Government of Nigeria to pay you the sum (US$10.5m) in cash . I wish to inform you that all necessary modalities have been put in place to conclude your payment without further delays and the fund has left C.B.N STRONGROOM through the Diplomatic channels to your country .
Furnish us with your direct telephone mobile number, your valid I.D/Drivers License and your office/house address or where ever you wish to receive consignment . we advise you to contact this office as soon as you receive this mail to enable us give you the necessary documents which you will need to deposit your funds in your bank account.
For this reason payment to via Nigeria is thereby stop along with bank to bank transfer but payment system now adopted is Diplomatic Cash Payment Method( D C P M).
This payment-policy eliminate you paying transfer (C.O.T) cost of transfer but you are required to pay cost as may be demanded by the customs and Immigration at your country port or country close to you where the delivery of fund will be made to you. The cost is far less to cheaper when compare with Cost Of Transfer ( COT) and delays inherit in the other method of payment.
Thank you.
1. Full Names:
2. Address:..
3. Telephone/Mobile:.
4. Age and Gender:.
5. Nationality:
6. Occupation:
===================================================
Signed:
Levent Bilman
Director, Policy & Mediation Division, UNCC.
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Anti-fraud resources:
