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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "you are advise 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.
Fraud email example:
From: FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS <federalministryofwk1@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: federalministryofworks1@yahoo.it
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:14:12 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: GOOD NEWS
>From Alhaji Adamu Ciroma
Financial Controller
Federal Ministry of Works
5th floor federal secretariat .
Abuja.
RE: RELEASE OF YOUR $10. 500,000.00 VIA ATM CARD AND BANK WIRE
Following the re-election in Nigeria widely accepted by the International Community, The World Bank, IMF and the instruction by the President and Commander in Chief of the armed forces ( president Jonathan Good luck) that all outstanding
foreign debts especially Contract/inheritance payment should be released to the
beneficiaries forth with unconditionally.based on the re-election of Mr president for a new term of 4 years.
This is to inform you that Federal Government of Nigeria has mandated this office within 24 hrs to debit and credited your ATM card immediately.
Meanwhile you are advise to go through this attachment payment form fill and return it back to this office immediately
Finally, you are to comply with every instruction so that within couple of days your debit card will be with you 4 days maximum .
your account will also be credited with your balance via swift where applicable .
you can use the ATM card to withdraw anywhere in the world and you can as well make withdrawal from your bank to anywhere in the globe.
note that the ATM form and payment form will be dispatched to you as soon as i get a response from you.
Best Regards
Alhaji Adamu Ciroma
Financial Controller
Federal Ministry of Works
p.s. the forms will be sent to you upon your response make haste.
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Anti-fraud resources:
