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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:
- "million united states 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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- officalmemo@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Imf/WordBank <ecowasunitoffice00@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Imf/WordBank <mrsmercylewis7@outlook.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2017 06:07:36 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE IS NEEDED.
Hello Dear
I am very happy indeed to inform you that at last I succeeded for the USD$ 12.6 Million fund transaction which I contacted you years ago through a help of Mr. Takuya Ha-Jun from Japan.
It is like a miracle after all the problems and difficulties I encountered on the transaction process. Above all, I did not forget my promise to God that I will render assistance to the charities and less privileged kids. I tried to achieve the project here but could not because of the political instabilities and selfish interest in the my Country.
Hence I would like to use you to accomplish the promise I made. I am in Japan now for my contract project with Mr. Takuya Ha-Jun and very busy at the moment. Before I left my Country I left US$1.2M) in certified bank draft under the care of my former secretary MR JACOB YETE who is now in his country.
I told him that I will contact you from Japan to enable him make solid arrangement on how the above amount in draft can be safely reaches to you through a good payment method that will not have any stress.
And please kindly make sure you use (ONE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS))out of the total amount to launch a foundation on the motherless babies in your area in my name, and keep TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND to yourself as a reward of your participation and effort.
Urgently call MR JACOB YETE
TELEPHONE; +229-98558496
E-mail him ON (officalmemo@gmail.com)
Regards,
MRS.MERCY LEWIS
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Anti-fraud resources:
