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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:
- "service fee" (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. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- thomaswilson702@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Deborah De-Young" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <deborahdeyoung701@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 19:25:00 +0200
Subject: Attn Beneficiary, Your payment via ATM VISA CARD READY
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United Nations Office
National Information Officer
1775 K Street, NW Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
United States
Phone: 206-376-0151
Attention: Sir / Madam,
I bring to you notice that United Nations information center Washington DC has officially announced your un-paid Contract/ Inheritance fund payment been released by the World Bank on several petitions to African Unity (AU).
You are advised to contact the below person for collection
of your payment via ATM VISA CARD.
The only fee you will pay is the courier service fee for delivery the ATM VISA CARD to your address, Contact Person Mr Thomas Wilson
United Nation office
African Affliated office.
Lagos Nigeria.
Email: thomaswilson702@gmail.com
Phone: +2348166493171
Forward this reference code UN/WR/011.4XXVX/100 to enable them
locate your payment file.
Anticipating your response.
Ms. Deborah De Young
National Information Officer
Washington, DC 20006
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Anti-fraud resources:
