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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- officework172@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- of texxas financial consultant mr. jerry ghana email: officework172@aol.com please . make sure you update this office always in whatever (Aol; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Ego Bia" <xx@monitor.com>
Reply-To: owork97@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2020 10:55:50 -0800
Subject: Scams Victims Recovery Monitoring Unit ,,,
Scams Victims Recovery Monitoring Unit
Abuja
Attention Sir/Madam
This is to inform you that all outstanding payment claims. Western union/Abondone Cosignments Lottory
Winnings have been approved to all beneficiary after our recent board meeting, we are very sorry for
the delay, in getting your fund transfer to you, the United Nation/World Financial Institute have
assigned a well accredited bank in London Uk/USA /UAE to effect your payment immediately all you to do
is to send your full name amount of your inheritance and phone number with your full data so as to
enhance immediate transfer of your fund to your Nominated account.
You are advice to contact WESTERN BANK PLC OF TEXAS is the assigned bank to take charge of your
transfer by the United Nation/World Financial Institute. you are to contact their Financail expert to
help you out with the paying bank
WESTERN BANK OF TEXXAS
Financial Consultant
Mr. Jerry Ghana
email: officework172@aol.com
Please . Make sure you update this office always in whatever you are doing with the bank and once your
fund is transfer to your account number.for our records .
Wait to hear from you ASAP.
Yours FaithFully
Mr. Ego Bia MD.
Scams Victims Recovery Monitoring Unit
Abuja
Direct Mobile:+2348123275998
Email: owork97@yahoo.com
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