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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:
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Gary .L. Roy" <"IMFFILE1."@pastel.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr.Gary .L. Roy" <urgentnotice.022@gmx.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2017 18:47:11 +0900 (JST)
Subject: IMF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
IMF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Public Affairs Media Relations;
Canada Office.
Attention Please; Read and understand the contents of this email perfectly.
Following the recent program to fight scams and fraud in West Africa and other countries by the international financial anti-craft agencies headed by the IMF; your overdue fund ($7.4M USD) payment has been reconciled to be paid through two options which you are advise to choose one.
Note: to convert your funds into (ATM Debit Card; Draft/Check) Insurance and mailing charges will apply as listed below.
1. Payment through ATM Card cost $468 only. (3 days delivery)
2. payment through certified Bank Draft cost $380 only. (3 days delivery)
Be rest assured that there is 100% guarantee that the fee is the only fee you are to pay.
You are advised to choose any of the above options and make the advance payment to enable us process the payment and get everything done without any problem as you experienced in the past.
Get back to me so that I will instruct you on where to send the money, reconfirm your full name, phone numbers and address.
Thanks, I hope to hear from you.
Mr.Gary .L. Roy
Administrator
African zonal director
Canada Office
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Anti-fraud resources:
