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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. )
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA <officeofnewpresident.nig@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2015 04:37:34 +0100
Subject: YOUR URGENT ATTENTION IS NEEDED
Federal Republic Of Nigeria
President of Nigeria -General.Muhammadu.Buhari
* Final released of
your compensation payment*
Attention.
This is to let you know that I am the new president federal republic of
Nigeria am fully on sit 18th June 2015 my name is president General
Muhammadu Buhari I am to compensated all the people that has over due
payment with Nigeria government $1,000,000.00 each as part payment after my
three months in the office I will make sure you receive all your payment
and it has been program by ATM MASTER CARD that you will be withdrawing
2000 dally till you get the entire money programmed.
You are not ask to pay any fee in advance but you will send only $115 for
delivery of your card to your address kindly urgent send the fee with the
below information through western union money transfer or money gram.
Receiver's Name:...........Okamni Oguike
Test question:................What for?
Text Answer:..................Delivery
Amount: $115
Waiting for the payment details so that we will deliver your ATM CARD to
your address without any more delay
Waiting to hear from you as soon as possible*.*
[image: Image result for general muhammadu buhari]
President of Nigeria - General.Muhammadu.Buhari
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Anti-fraud resources:
