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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:
- "million united states dollars" (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 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.
- 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.
- philipagu35@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Federal Ministry of Finance" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paulfoy@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 2009 07:40:27 +0100
Subject: Payment Approval.
Sir,
Owing to your ordeal in getting your fund of $15.5 Million United States dollars transferred to your nominated bank, we have agreed to make transfer on 31st of August, 2009 by wire transfer. However, you are advice to forward your banking coordinates and telephone numbers to us so that we can make transfer.
Thank you for understanding and we apologize for what you might have passed through in getting your fund transferred.
Finally, you should seize communication with whosoever that claimed to be in possession of your inheritance. A waiver has been issued in respect to this and you are advised to contact Rev. Philip Agu for immediate procurement of the waiver form and release of
your claim as stated below;
Rev. Philip Agu
Office of the Presidency Aso Rock Abuja
Email: philipagu35@yahoo.com.hk
Tel: +234 1 763 2859
Contact him immediately for the release of the funds on the said date.
Yours truly,
Dr.Paul Foy
Director of Finance for Minister of Finance.
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Anti-fraud resources:
