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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transferred into your 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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: usambassador.jamesfentwistle@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 23:07:02 +0800
Subject: PLS GET BACK TO ME NOW!
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive Central District Area,
Abuja.
Re: Funds Recovery
Dear Friend,
Your uncredited outstanding funds with the accrued interest totaling US$29M as
recovered by the IMF Debt Recovery Unit is now deposited in our Vault (VGS
Vault) in DUBAI where your presence is highly and urgently required. The Vault
Company is under IMF.
This arrangement is based on the resolution of the World Bank, IMF and United
Nations to release your uncredited funds with the accrued interest that is why
you are contacted.
There is absolutely going to be great doubt and distrust in your heart in
respect to this E-mail couple with the fact that so many miscreants and
imposters (scammers) have taken possession of the internet to facilitate their
nefarious needs, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and
legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition.
Please confirm your readiness to be in DUBAI in person to claim the funds as
official arrangement has been made to receive you as soon as you arrive DUBAI.
If you cannot make it to DUBAI, the funds can be transferred into your bank
account. On this note, you have to send your bank account details where the
funds will be transferred.
Let me hear from you immediately on this regard.
SIGN
HIS EXCELLENCY JAMES F. ENTWISTLE.
US AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA
CHECK HERE VIEW MY DATA: http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/biography.html
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Anti-fraud resources:
