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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- 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: "Bank Alert" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <officialmail2011@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:41:38 +0100
Subject: Alert
Western Union Money Transfer
Head office: Accra Ghana Ltd
Hello,
Please confirm if you are still using this email address.
There is important information I think might interest you. First of all, you are to confirm if you are still using this email address, for security reasons I will like you to confirm if you are the owner of this email ID. Already I have your name and some details in my file in the office, but I want to be sure if I am communicating with the right owner of this email.
If you can prove that you are the owner of this email ID, I will like you to furnish me with your remaining information to enable me cross-check it with the one I have so that I can be convince that I am talking to the right person. I am taking this preventive measure because I do not want to talk to the wrong person due to the sensitivity of the information involved.Other details will be forwarded to you as soon as I am convinced that I am communicating with the right person.
Mr. Paul Williams
Western Union Money Transfer
Accra Ghana Ltd
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Anti-fraud resources:
