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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "confidentiality of this transaction" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Dan Efebo <xdanxefebo@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2022 02:08:49 +0100
Subject: Season Greetings
Dear Sir/Madam,
My colleague and I over-invoiced a contract award to the tune of
$25.5MUSD; the payment approval has been issued for immediate payment
and transfer of the funds. I want you to stand as the beneficiary of
the funds. The corresponding paying bank in United States is waiting
for us to present you as the beneficiary to enable them release and
transfer funds to your nominated bank account.
All we are required to do immediately from here is duly obtain some
necessary papers in your favor as the beneficiary and forwarded the
same to the paying bank for immediate payment/transfer.
Note; this process will take few working days; and release/transfer of
the same funds will be within 48 hours from the day payment documents
are transmitted to the corresponding paying bank in United States. I
want to assure you that there is no risk involved because all approved
documents will accompany the transfer of the funds to your bank to
absolve you from any trouble or problem.
If you are willing to assist, kindly reply with your full name;
business name; address (residence/office); your ID and telephone
number to enable us commence this process immediately.
Please confidentiality of this transaction will be highly appreciated.
Await your immediate response or call me on my direct phone number for
verbal talk.
Regards,
Dan EFEBO.
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Anti-fraud resources:
