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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:
- "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. )
- "money orders " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "cheques " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "mark" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mildthomas1@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:01:23 -0800
Subject: part time job
EARN 10% OF ALL PAYMENT,PAY IS GOOD.
MAIN REQUIREMENTS 18 years or older!
Legally capable! Responsible!
Ready to work 3-4 hours per week!
With PC knowledge! e-mail and internet experience (minimal)!
Interested applicant should get back with
Full names:
Full address(No p.o.box):
City and state:
Zipcode:
Phone number:
WHAT TO DO AND BENEFIT.
1. Receive payment from Donors.
2. Cash payments at your Bank.
3. Deduct 10% percentage/pay on Payment processed. which will be your wage for work done.
4. Transfer the balance after deduction of percentage/ pay to our representative (payment is to be transfered by money gram).
HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?
10% from each operation! For instance: you receive 4000 USD via cheques or money orders on our behalf.You will cash the money and keep $400 (10% of $4000) for yourself! At the beginning your commission will equal 10%,though later it will increase up to 12% to 20% depending on your efficiency.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Frank Reyna
Hiring Manager,
EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION
Irving, Texas 75039-2298
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Anti-fraud resources:
