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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "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)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- "certified bank draft" (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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- union.bank.plc@consultant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Melvin Walter" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <union.bank.plc86@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:40:35 -0500
Subject: Please Read Carefully...
Hello
I'm really sorry that I responded this late. I want to make you understand that the content of your email is
well noted by me. I must tell you that I am in the right position to make the payment of $500,000.00 US
dollars; I understand that my boss has directed me to send your funds to you via international certified bank
draft.
I am really sorry at this point in time. I want to make you understand that your funds will be transfer to you
via bank to bank money transfer as I have deposited the funds on your behalf with UNION BANK PLC So I
will advice you to provide a bank account to enable the bank make a direct transfer of your funds without
any delay. For more clarification of your fund please contact the accountant in charge of your funds in
UNION BANK PLC, because he is in charge of your transfer so my dear you have to contact him below with
his email address. So he will give you instructions concerning the transfer.
Name: Mr. John Thomas
Email Address: union.bank.plc@consultant.com
Please do not fail to get back to me when you have claimed the fund and please do whatever Mr. John
instructs' so this transaction will be a success he is the right person for the transfer, thank you.
Best Regards,
Melvin Walter
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Anti-fraud resources:
