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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:
- "levy " (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. )
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: "DR MIKE REES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rees_deputydirector_standardgroup@outlook.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2015 00:43:24 -0700
Subject: NEW DEVELOPMENT ON YOUR CHARITY FUND
We write to inform you that we received a letter of mandated from the
Bank of Ghana in your favor for release of the charity funds that
is in our custody.
Yes, It is expensive to wire transfer such funds as the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) will immediately levy a near 30% percent income tax directly
from the funds and with some documents require. If delivered by diplomatic
courier, it will not be immune, it will be scanned due to terrorist
threats to America and an immediate near 35% percent will be collected
from it and It will come under investigation and some documents will be
required.
BANK OF GHANA through STANDARD CHARTERED BANK has issued an ATM cards,
This will avoid a HUMONGOUS tax burden and unwanted scrutiny by the IRS
and Homeland security.
Reply With your details as below for easy processing and delivery Card
1. Full Name:............
2. Phone Number:.........
3. Home Address: ..................
Yours Faithfully:
DR MIKE REES
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Anti-fraud resources:
