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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:
- "money gram" (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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MONEY GRAM INTERNATIONAL " <sakaejyuuken@polka.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "MONEY GRAM INTERNATIONAL " <moneygramheadofficebr@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2018 19:26:18 +0900 (JST)
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT IS READY....
Dear Sir
This is to inform you that our Service here in Benin Republic Headquarters wishes to reconfirm to you that our office has paid your first payment of $7,000usd out of your funds which is worth ($4.7M USD,) to you this morning through our Money Gram Office here for your information the maximum amount you will be receiving from Today is $7,000 USD which should be sending to your full names till your total sum of ($4.7M USD,) is completely transferred to you.
Please send us your full name ..............................
And your current address for the payment .............................. ..
Your direct phone ..........
thanks
Dr. Daniel David
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Anti-fraud resources:
