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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:
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "imf.org@ws.tc" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "International Monetary Fund" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <imf.org@ws.tc>
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:51:54 +0100
Subject: REF CODE: 06654
International Monetary Fund
21, Hon. Justice Mohammed Bello St.
Asokoro Abuja Nigeria
E-mail: imf.org@ws.tc
Attention: PAYMENTS REF CODE: 06654
SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATIONS
We had a meeting last friday with the new acting president (Jonathan Goddluck) which he has dissolved the old cabinet and appoints new ones. We concluded that all debts should be paid with immediate effect to all beneficiaries to restore the glory of our nation. Below was our conclusion;
1) All beneficiaries should claim their fund within 4 working days to avoid payment cancellation.
2) Beneficiary must pay only $60 to the assigned delivery company for their administrative charges.
3) All relevant documents to back up your claims have been settled by the Government to avoid any problem during transit of your Fund.
4) Failing to comply with the delivery company, you are liable to loose your Fund.
You are now requiring contacting the delivery company immediately for immediately delivery of your ATM DEBIT CARD;
Afrijet Airlines Limited
Global Cargo Freight Services
NAHCO Complex,
Murtala Muhammed International Airport,
Ikeja Lagos.
Email: afrijetair@konin.lm.pl
Attention: Mrs. Margaret Blaire.
We will be waiting to hear from Afrijet Airline Limited.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. David Nellor
International Monetary Fund
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Anti-fraud resources:
