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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:
- "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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "your loan " (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- 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: "AHMED SHARES AND INVESTMENT COMPANY." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fatimahmed46@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2004 12:17:05 +0100
Subject: FROM AHMED SHARES AND INVESTMENT COMPANY.
Attention Applicant:
Your loan inquiry was received and we welcome you to AHMED SHARES AND INVESTMENT COMPANY. We offer all types of loan at 3% interest rate. This is to inform you also that any personal/corporate information you provide to us to process your loan will be kept as confidential. We offer all types of loan to suit either personal or cooperate need. To proceed with your loan you will have to provide accurately the loan and personal information below.
The offer Minimum of $5000.00 And Maximum of $500,000.00
APPLICATION DETAILS
Full Name:..........................................
Gender:………………………………
Contact Address (No P. O. Box Please):................................
City and State:………………………
Country:.............................................
Cell Phone:...............................................
Total Amount Needed as Loan:....................
Loan Duration:....................................
Annual Income:...................................
Occupation:........................................
Mode of repayment: monthly or yearly
Furthermore you will have to choose your payment option which either ones below:
Western Union Money Transfer (24hours)
Bank-to-Bank Transfer (48hours before cash is available after transfer Completed)
Bank Certified Check (9days to mature before you can withdraw with it)
We will need you to send us a scanned copy of your Id for identification. It is very important you send it down along with the loan application details you are to send us afterward. The rest of the conditions you require will be sent to you along with the loan terms/repayment schedule.
We would appreciate your utmost co-operation to this email so we could both make this transaction a success. Hope to hear from you soonest.
As Your Satisfaction and Financial Success is Our Aim.
Warmest Regards
Mrs.Fatima ahmed
Ahmed Shares and Investment Company
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