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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:
- "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)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Western Union <westernuion20115@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: westernuion2015@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:19:28 +0100 (BST)
Subject: RE: VERY URGENT PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
Vital Finance Institution
Address:Rue 225 Akpaka Express Road ,
Porto-Novo layout Benin.
Phone 00229-9819-2872
Fax: 00229 97759440
www.westernunion.com
REF: TRANSFER DETAIL OF ($900,000.00 USD)
Attention: My Dear Customers
Good day to you and your family. I am so sorry for my late respond over last year concern your payment in our office here, because I am only trying to get the $425 require from the Federal office because of your condition since last year and i did got only $400 now while it still remain $25 to be complete and I told the Federal office that you didn't has any money with you and they persist that I must pay the fee of $425 dollars before they can release your payment to me, Then I decided to let you try your posible best to send the remain $25 to complete it to enable them release your payment to transfer immediately today.I am still waiting to hear from you as soon as you receive this massage.
Here is the information blow to send the remain $25 dollar today to enable me get your payment details immediately today or tomorrow.
Receiver,s Name......Marcel N. Onwujekwe
Country...................Benin Republic
City.........................Cotonuo
Test Question........To Who
Test Answer..........God
Amount................$25.00
I am waiting to hear from soon.
Regards
Mr. Ken David.
Foreign Operation Manager
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Anti-fraud resources:
