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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "lagos" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Ben S. Bernanke" <hr@mail.yamoffice.yam.com>
Reply-To: <dataaigroo01@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:55:21 +0400
Subject: FROM THE HEAD OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA
FROM THE HEAD OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA
About me: http://www.federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/bios/board/bernanke.htm
My Name is Dr. Ben S. Bernanke second term as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank in United State of America. If no sign of seriousness is shown i will have no choice than to program your Visa Credit and the Cashier check out of service and it will be useless.
FBI ROBERT S. MUELLER is not happy with you due to all is wasted effort he render and lack of co-operation from you but dont worry everything will be alright.
I want you to abide to my instruction so everything can be done fast and i will instruct Kalu Nnadimma to assist you with some part of the charge fee and this is the best he can do for now.
Once you receive this email try your best and send down the $90 only and Kalu Nnadimma will assist you with the remaining balance.
he will act as your diplomat and deliver the package to you and it will take only 18 hours to get the package which contain the Visa Credit Card and the Cashier Check delivered to you.
USE THE INFORMATION OF MR Kalu Nnadimma AN OFFICIAL AGENT TO THE U.S EMBASSY AND ALSO A U.S CITIZEN TO SEND THE REQUIRED CHARGE FEE $90 VIA WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM.
ONCE YOU SEND THE PAYMENT DELIVERY WILL COMMENCE TODAY AND YOU WILL RECEIVE THE PACKAGE 18 HOURS ONCE FLIGHT COMMENCE I ASSURE YOU.
RECEIVER NAME: Kalu Nnadimma
ADDRESS: 12 EMBASSY STREET
CITY: LAGOS
STATE: LAGOS
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
ZIP CODE: 23401
TEXT QUESTION: Good
ANSWER: Faith
Amount To Send: $90
Once again you have nothing to worry about once the charge fee is received you will receive your package in the next 18 hours once the flight take commence.
Await your reply and the required payment confirmation details so i can forward the details to KALU NNADIMMA.
Dr. Ben S. Bernanke
Chairman of the Board of Governors
Federal Reserve Bank
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Anti-fraud resources:
