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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)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (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 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: The Global Economic Recovery Program <mrs_enive@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: hassanbello1@live.com
Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:44:31 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Re: The Global Economic Recovery Program (GERP)
The Global Economic Recovery Program (GERP)
USA & Economic Community of west –
African States.(ECOWAS)
Republic Du Benin unit
Â
 You're a Recipient of The Global Economic Recovery program
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Attn:Code 23()
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Your name has been found in the Central Computer among the list of unpaid foreign recipients dating back to the year 2009 in republic of Benin and other West African countries.
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Thereby the U.S.A initiated and sponsoring the (PROGRAM) Global Economic Recovery Program of USA government in conjuction with the Economic Community Of West African States's governments has allocated an initial expense payment of $2.500,000.00 to 36 recipients,and you are among those recipients short listed to receive the expense payment of $2.500,000.00 between the day of 20th June and to the 31th of July 2011.
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Your payment of $2.5 Million has been allocated to be paid to you either through Atm visa card, cheque or western union money transfer.You are to note that if you want your payment through western union you will be paying $10,000 daily on all days except Saturday and Sunday until the principal amount is completely paid you.
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You will have to provide an identification of yourself and obtain the claim before the 25th of July 2011.
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It is very important you state specifically how you would want to receive the $2.5 Million and provide details to the financial assistant with this email: (Â hassanbello1@live.com ) Contact immediately and tell us the option you choose to receive your fund.
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Sincerely.
Â
Mr.Prince Hassan Bello.
Treasurery Assistant Global Economic Recovery
Ecowas UNIT Office
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Anti-fraud resources:
