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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
- 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: "Mr.Michael Chizam" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <unixx1@qq.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2015 08:44:21 -0400
Subject: New Accredited payment Notification
United Nations
New Accredited payment Office.
617/618 Diplomatic Zone
Central Area District
Abuja,Nigeria.
Direct Phone:+234 90 999 43113
From the Desk of:
United Nations
Payment Co-ordinator
African Region,Nigerian Office.
Mr.Michael Chizam
In the course of a recently concluded 2014/2015 investigations through
FBI AND other world
recognized security agencies and our internal Financial security
network went into action and many BANK FUND TRANSFER /VISA CARDS AND
CONSIGNMENTS was intercepted/seized due to certain delivery and
payment manipulations which is not recognized by this body,it was
discovered that the funds emanated from Africa so we decided to
organized and establish our payment center from Nigeria duly supported
by the New President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,Mohammadu
Buhari and your name was mentioned in one of the payments
seized/intercepted file information so you are advised to immediately
re-confirm your full details before the payment can be directed for
released to your destination according to our official payments
procedure.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr.Michael Chizam
United Nations
Payment Co-ordinator
African Region,Nigerian Office.
Direct Phone:+234 90 999 43113
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Anti-fraud resources:
