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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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Williams Morgan <online121280@telkomsa.net>
Reply-To: Williams Morgan <williamsatubaghana@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:47:27 +0200 (SAST)
Subject: SECURITY ALERT FROM UBA
Attn: Our Valued Customer.
There is an issue with the World Bank Creditors in the amount of $3.5 Million Dollars directed in cash credited to file KTU/ 9023118308/03,at your email address which has now been reverted to the UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA a couple of hours ago due to the Recent Homeland Security Act which prevented large sum of money.
In view of several efforts already made by us to contact you for the following reasons based on the new account submitted to this office on your behalf.
(1) My Office desks have just received a sworn affidavit from Mr. Maxwell Foster of Turkey to re-route your payment( 3.5 M) into a new bank account number as stated "VACAP" Federal Credit Union, 1700 Robin Hood Road,Richmond, VA 23220.Account number 32501.of Mr. Maxwell Foster.
(2) Please, confirm to our department if you have instructed Mr. Maxwell Foster to appoint an attorney/agent on your behalf thereby asking that he receive cash Remittance on your behalf.
(3) It has come to our notice that you are Being contacted by unauthorized individuals with respect to your Compensation but unfortunately this office is not aware of your Unofficial dealings and warned that it is at your own risk.
Best Regards,
Mr. Williams Morgan
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Anti-fraud resources:
