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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "AFRICA UNION" <africaunion@infor.com>
Reply-To: <rolanddavid@zing.vn>
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:34:53 -0800
Subject: PAYMENT CENTRE !!!!!!!
ATTENTION!! ,
We are writing to inform you of the approval of your funds in your past transaction as directed by African union in their last meeting here in Accra Ghana that all foreign payment should effect there transfer holding by any bank or organization to enable the image of our country cleared out from world bank scams list. As complains has being coming from different people and organization all over the world laying bitter complains about holding their funds for longtime now with out being released to their care.
Your name is among the names that have being approved their payment by African Union so you are advised to cooperate and reconfirm the below information to enable us confirm that you are the real person and the rightful owner of the mentioned fund.
1) Your Full Name
2) Your Full address home / office
3) Your Telephone / Fax number
4) Your Contract Amount
5) The name of your partner here in Africa
6) A copy of your international passport or your driving license.
7) Your Country of Origin and residence location
As soon as we are in position of the requested information and confirm that it is correct your fund will be immediately released to you. for more information make sure you get back to us once you receive this email with the requested information.
Director Nana Yao.
African Union Payment Approval
Office Accra Ghana.
Telephone:+233249856235
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Anti-fraud resources:
