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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "cashiers check" (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. )
- "www.was1942@live.com" (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: Johnson <offce2011@live.com>
Reply-To: www.was1942@live.com
Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2011 09:35:58 +0100 (BST)
Subject: =?utf-8?B?RkVERVggSEFTIEEgUEFDS0FHRSBPTiBZT1VSIE5BTUXigKY=?=
United Nations Assisted
Program
Directorate of International Payment
United Nations Liaison Office
- Africa
Â
Fund Beneficiary,
Â
This email is to notify you about the
release of your outstanding payment which is truly $4.7 million. The Federal
Government scheduled a time frame to settle all
foreign debts which
includes contract/Inheritance/Gambling/Lottery (Sponsored by Microsoft and UK
National Lottery) and other international loans. News had it that
over the
past, numerous individual(s) who happen to be impostors (claiming to be
individuals, banks and organizations) are claiming to release numerous sums of
fund via
numerous ways.
Â
You have two options to
receive your payment which is either a Pin Based ATM card or Certified Cashiers
Check.
Â
You are advised to select
one out of the two options on how you wish to receive your $4.7 million. Your
ATM card or Check/Bank Draft will be shipped via FedEx Shipping
Company and
would get to you within 2 to 3 working days at most.
Â
DO NOT SEND MONEY
TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS:
Â
The actual fees for shipping your ATM
card is $125.99 but because Fedex have temporarily discontinued the C.O.D which
gives you the chance to pay when package is delivered for international
shipping as stated on their website:
Â
http://fedex.com/us/international/irc/profiles/irc_ng_profile.html?gtmcc=us#C10
Â
We had to sign contract with them for
bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce from the actual $125.99 to $96.99
nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort! You are advised to contact the dispatch officer
responsible for the shipping of your Check or ATM card with the following
information for shipping of your payment Check or ATM card.
Â
FedEx
Dispatching Officer: (Gerald A.Watson Jr. ) NEW YORK OFFICE.
Email:(www.was1942@live.com)
Phone Number:(+1 516 360
2611)
Â
And provide him with the following information:
Â
Your full
Name...
Your Address:................
Home/Cell
Phone:...................
Preferred Payment Method (Check or
ATM):................
Â
The dispatch officer will provide you with
instructions on how you are to make payment of the $96.99 only for the shipping
of your ATM card or Cashiers Check.
Remember that you are not
paying any fees extra no matter what. Once again note that the actual Fedex
Retail Price: $125.99 Your Price (Because of our contract signed):$96.99 ($29.00
Savings!).
Â
Respectfully,
Â
Amb. Ms.Yvonne Johnson.
UN Envoy
(Afrian Region)
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Anti-fraud resources:
