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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "jamesduru@skymail.mn" (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: "UNITED NATIONS" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:53:24 -0000
Subject: From United Nations Organization/Compensation Payment Unit
From United Nations Organization/Compensation Payment Unit.
This is to notify you that we have your fund of USD$1,500,000.00 with us
there in the UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION and it has been written
in your name.
Due to your late response to our email and this transaction, there is
someone here who said he is from your country and he says he is the owner of
the fund. He said he ready to pay for the procurement of the legal documents
which is $195 for the release of the found to him,he said is going to pay
the $195 dollars . He has been held right away for verification purpose, for
us to know if he is the real owner of this fund. Since the fund belongs to
you we have to write you to let you know About this serious issue that is
going now.
This meeting was first held on the 8th of April 2011.
You can view this page for your perusal and we are still making the payment
till today
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/ik344.doc.htm
Assess Code:8911-89-QDR
You have to reply within the next 48hrs for security purpose so that your
fund would not be transferred to another person. So you are to know what to
do about this so that your fund would not be transferred or be claimed by
another person.
You are advice to contact the United nations representative attorney there
in African with your below information to enable him proceed to the a
probate division to ascertain the International Transfer permit clearance
certificate and submit to the paying bank for immediate payment to any
account of your choice.
Attorney representative in west African Region
Contact person: Barr. James Duru
Email:jamesduru@skymail.mn
the attorney is waiting for your response immediately.You hereby advised to
send your information such as
Full Name
Address
Country
Phone/Fax
Occupation
International passport for verification purpose only.
Congratulations!
MRS. BETTY WRIGHT.
PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO MR. BAN KI-MOON
(UN) SECRETARY GENERAL
Copyright (c) 2011
United Nation Organization
All Rights Reserved
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Anti-fraud resources:
