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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "lagos" (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.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "NIGERIA FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT NFIU" <mrpeter_o@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2015 16:36:32 +0600
Subject: PAYMENT INVESTIGATION UNIT
NIGERIA FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT NFIU
14A AWOLOWO LANE, IKOYI NIGERIA
Payment Review unit and Foreign Debt Reconciliation Center
Tel: +234-8036555666
PAYMENT
INVESTIGATION UNIT
How are you today.
Base on my first letter to you, i advise you to try your best and get the require fee
to enable me obtain Fund Tag certificate in your name which will grant you
access to received this USD10.5M from our bank without any further delay.
Attached file is my identification .
Fund Tag Permit Documents FTPD, is only thing holding your fund in our bank . As soon
as this TAG is released in your name Payment Review Unit and FBI will
released the approve USD10.5M into your account within 24 banking hours you obtain this
FUND TAG PERMIT CERTIFICATE from our office.
below is the name you will use to send US$370.00 been the cost of FUND TAG PERMIT
CERTIFICATE. that will cover the approve fund in your account. as soon as
this documents is released in your name the approve US$10.5M will be remit into your
account immediately
You have been advise to send the require fee via Money gram or western union as
directed here.
Receivers name: Ravin James
Address: Lagos Nigeria
Text question: white
Answer: Black
Amount: US$370.00
Waiting for the mtcn and senders name and address.
Finally, your phone number and banking details is required for smooth remittance of this
USD10.5Million in your favor.
Mr Peter Obi
Director Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit
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Anti-fraud resources:
