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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "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. )
- "high court" (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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- moneygram209@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Grace Johnson" <jesusterry1905@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2018 06:18:56 +0000
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY
--
ATTENTION BENEFICIARY
To this effect, the appropriate authorities (Economic Community of
West African States of African and American Government) has decided
not to deliver CARD to foreign clients through African anymore due to
a lot of complains that beneficiaries are not receiving their payment
after fees has been paid.This office wants you to understand that
everything is in order, (Eco-was High Court West Africa) decide to pay
you via MONEY GRAM YOU ARE TO BE STARTING TO PICKUP $6000 PER DAILY
FOR THE EASTER WINNRES CELEBRETION
Enable us cover the insurance coverage and please include copy of your
identity for proper reprogramming and activation of your fUNDS to
enable you has access of PICKING immediately,NOTE THE TOTAL fUND IS
WORTH OF $3.5M DOLLAR.
THANKS FOR YOU=E2=80=99RE CO-OPERATION:
Contact
MR. JOHN NWAKO
PHONE NO:+229 69452661
E-MAIL :( Moneygram209@hotmail.com
1 Your Full Name:
2 Mobile Phone Number:
3 Current Home Address:
4 Fax Number:
5 Country:
6 City:
7 Occupation
best regards
Mrs. Grace Johnson
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Anti-fraud resources:
