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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- 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.
- prenig43@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "PRESIDENT OFFICIAL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <prenig43@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 19:39:05 +0100
Subject: YOUR UNPAID FUND!!
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
HOTLINE: +234-814-982-2801
EMAIL: prenig43@yahoo.com
By the power of my office as the new President of Federal Republic Nigeria, I have to inform you that
while going through files of unpaid funds received from CBN by this government following my
observations on the wrong attitudes of the:US and EU Financial Authorities ,World Bank Directors,CBN Governor
officials and some bank directors towards your payment.
I came across your file on Approved payment of fund of USD USD20,000,000.00 while going through Inheritance and Contract payment
files and have picked interest and verified the cause of delays which are well noted. I have resolved for the option to pay you;
1. Through a fully loaded International Visa ATM card. In this
arrangement The Visa card is ready with your outstanding fund value
and will be dispatched with all relevant access information to enable
you withdraw cash from any ATM machine of your choice and transfer to
any account of your choice upon receipt.
2. Payment by online bank transfer.
Kindly forward Your telephone and physical mailing address immediately Terms and Condition applied.
Yours Faithfully
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
HOTLINE: +234-814-982-2801
EMAIL: prenig43@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
