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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:
- "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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
- 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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- morgan.herbalformedication@googlemail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev Kelvin Morgan." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <morgan.herbalformedication@googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:03:37 -0000
Subject: SECURE A JOB ONLINE NOW.
MORGAN HERBAL LTD.
Company Reg NO: 83517042
VAT Reg NO:107 259 223
It is my pleasure to write you in respect of our Company, MORGAN HERBAL LTD. We import and export all kinds of
Herbal Medicines Of Liquid into various countries.. We are searching for reliable representatives who can help us
establish a medium of getting to our customers in UNITED KINGDOM as well as legally receiving cash and all forms
of payment on our behalf from Our customers as our Representative.
We are willing to pay you 10% for every payment processed through you from our clients/customers. These payments
are coming from these clients within UNITED KINGDOM and will be sent to you directly from our customers, all you
have to do is lodge and cash each payment, deduct 10% and forward 90% to our Payment Processing Center via
Western Union Money Transfer / MoneyGram Money Transfer. All sending fee's are to be deducted from our 90%,
however you will be required to have a valid checking account in which our customers might request to make this
payment Direct Deposit to your bank.
Please if you are interested forward to us your following details:
1. Full Names: ................
2. Contact address: ...........
3. Telephone/mobile and fax number...
4. Gender......
5. Age.......
6. Occupation: .......
7. Bank Name.......
HAVE YOU DONE THIS BEFORE?
To apply for this position, send the information requested above to the contact information provided below.
Contact Person: Rev Kevin Morgan
Email: morgan.herbalformedication@googlemail.com
Time: 24 Hours daily by e-mail
Rev Kelvin Morgan.
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Anti-fraud resources:
