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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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- derco1212@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "MICHAEL J. BRESNICK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <infoi@yahoo.pt>
Date: Sat, 4 Jul 2015 08:43:56 -0700
Subject: <<<<<<<Payment Alert >>>>>>>>>>
WELCOME TO FINANCIAL FRAUD ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE U.S.A
FROM MICHAEL J. BRESNICK
we have been having series of meetings with the innovative /previous president of NIGERIA, international communities, the world bank, international monetary fund(IMF) and the federal ministry of finance, however after our deliberations with all the stake holders, agreement was reached to settle all over due foreign payments. Inheritance and contract payment please use this opportunity to receive your fund feel free to contact the office in charge of payment.
INSTRUCTION: it will cost you the sum of $60 only to make activate to your payment file with DEBT Reconciliation Committee on foreign payments Nigeria,
Here is the contact information of the Director DEBT Reconciliation Committee
Desmond Ubani
E-mail: derco1212@gmail.com
contact them will send to enable you contact them on how to send the activation fee with your information to receive your fund
Yours faithfully
MICHAEL J. BRESNICK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.FINANCIAL FRAUD ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE
U.S.A
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Anti-fraud resources:
