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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "million dollars" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- westernofficer7@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Barrister Mike Obi <"www."@ruby.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Barrister Mike Obi <westernofficer7@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2017 08:34:06 +0900 (JST)
Subject: YOUR MONEY
Hello Beneficiary.
I will send you the payment information only if contact me and assure me that you are the rightful person to receive $6.5Million Dollars. If you do not contact me I will cancel the money transfer as I will then know that this is not the rightful person.contact Phone+22968323497 email address:westernofficer7@gmail.com
Send your full information immediately and once i confirm it i will proceed sending your MTCN and senders name so that you can pick up your first payment of $5000 today.so make sure you fill this form below:
Your full receiver name..................
Your Country ......and your state..............
Your address.........................
Your mobile phone number.......................
Your private email.............................
Your Occupation....................
Your Drive license or ID card...................
Regards
Barrister Mike Obi
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Anti-fraud resources:
