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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Elizebeth Wallace" <mrs.elizebethwallace@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: <mrelizebethwallace1954@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 10:59:02 +0100
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary. Sir/Madam
Attention: Beneficiary. Sir/Madam,
This is to inform you that after board meeting with IMF Director Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and FBI including United State Government we have concluding to transfer your US$9.7M to this account details listed below.
Your file appears in my desk two days ago Through IMF office that you are among people approved to be paid half of their part payment of Nine million, seven Hundred Dollars ($9.7Million USD. Signed by World Bank Nigeria, On behalf of IMF.
1) Your full name.
2) Contact Address
3) Phone, fax and mobile #.
4) Age.
5) Occupation.
6) Your bank details
In receipt of the above information and your payment will be approved and paid to you by bank to bank wire transfer to your nominated bank account. You are advised to get back to me immediately for more information listed above.
Thanks
Ms.Elizebeth Wallace/Mr.Edward Cliff.
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Anti-fraud resources:
