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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:
- "cashiers check" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Richard Weiser" <msjobs@offers.com>
Reply-To: richweis@outlook.com
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 10:06:35 -0400
Subject: JOB OFFER
- This mail is in HTML. Some elements may be ommited in plain text. -
We are accepting applications for qualified individuals to become a Mystery
Shoppers
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. You will receive funds for the assignment via a cashiers check
2. You will receive instructions for your assignment via email on the location
and details of the task.
3. You are to complete the task quickly and quietly.
4. You will be asked to visit the business location for doing business be it
restaurants, shopping stores etc.
TERMS OF PAYMENT
You will receive a flat amount of $ 300 per assignment.
The company will provide you with all the costs necessary for the assignment
and any other costs incurred during the performance of your duties.
Your first step should be to fill your personal data like the example below:.
--------------------------------------------------------
Full_Name :_
Address (N0. PO BOX):_
City,
State,
Zip C0DE :_
Cell_Phone:_
Gender:_
--------------------------------------------------------
It's very exciting and hopefully will be successful. There is no fee to become a
shopper and.You do not need previous experience and you'll get paid $300 for each task
performed.
We look forward to working with you.Send your interests via email
Thank you,
Richard Weiser
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Anti-fraud resources:
