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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:
- "into 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: "Fitsu Mike" <fitsumike@ymail.com>
Reply-To: fitsumike@yahoo.se
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 08:30:09 +0300 (EEST)
Subject: RE: REF : GW-KT8
PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION
I work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs my office monitors and
controls the affairs of all banks and financial institutions concerned
with foreign contract payments. I am the final signatory to any transfer
or remittance of huge funds moving within banks both on the local and
international levels in line to foreign contracts settlement.
I have before me list of funds, which could not be transferred to some
nominated accounts as these accounts have been identified either as ghost
accounts, unclaimed deposits and over-invoiced sum etc. I write to present
you to the Federal Contracts payment committee that you are among the
people expecting the funds to be transferred into their account, on this
note; I wish to have a deal with you as regards to the unpaid certified
contract funds. I have every files before me and the data will be change
to your name to enable you receive the fund into your nominated bank
account as the beneficiary of the fund's
amount $15.5 Million.
If you AGREE with my conditions, l advise you on what to do immediately
and the transfer will commence without delay as I will proceed to fix your
name on the Payment schedule. Waiting for your reply soon.
Thanks,
Fitsu Mike.
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Anti-fraud resources:
