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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:
- 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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "tax fee" (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. )
- "economic and financial crime commission" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "(efcc)" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "farida waziri" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: EFCC OFFICE <mrsfaridawaziri@royal.net>
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:50:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Your communication code: EFCC/NG/74-A0807777HJ/NG
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIME COMMISSION
112 AVENUES, SURE ROAD LAGOS/NIGERIA
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 I am very sorry for the delay in response. I have been in contact with the bank since yesterday to make sure your fund is being transferred on Monday morning and the bank has finally agreed to make the transfer fist thing tomorrow morning and this is what I have been fighting for all through this week.
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 Right now, you have to send down you bank details as soon as you receive this message together with the sum of $80 for the lawyer that will sign your fund approval certificate tomorrow morning since you can’t come in person to sign it.
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 Kindly send it to my secretary as soon as you receive this mail either via western union or money gram so he can pick it up first thing tomorrow morning and send it to the bank with immediate effect:
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Sender’s Name:
Receiver’s Name: James Monday
Amount: $80
Address: Lagos, Nigeria
Text Question: To
Text Answer: Monday
MTCN:
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 Bear in mind that my final conclusion with the bank is that you will pay all other fees as soon as you receive your payment tomorrow. So kindly inform me as soon as you receive the payment tomorrow so I can tell you how much you’re to send for the insurance and tax fee.
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 Note: that you’re in safe hand and your case is been taken care of by the Federal Government o Nigeria, Federal Bureau of Investigation and this commission (EFCC). Also bear in mind that you wouldn’t have make any upfront payment before receiving this fund of yours if only you can come down in person for the signing of the release order.
Your communication code: EFCC/NG/74-A0807777HJ/NG
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NOTE: THIS LETTER IS NOT A PLEA FOR FINANCIAL AID.
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Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Farida Waziri
EFCC Chairperson Chief Director Africa Investigation Department
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Anti-fraud resources:
