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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "mobilization 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. )
- "to your nominated 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)
- 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.
- mr.johnbarason@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.John Barason" <deric0030@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mr.johnbarason@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:44:52 +0000
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?INQUIRY_SUPPLY_OF_YOUR_PRODUCTS=E2=80=8F?=
Dear Sir/Madam
There is ongoing tender bid in African Union procurement Authority
here in Ghana for the supply of for national developmental project
2015/2016.This Tender is open to Foreign suppliers whose company
products meet international standards and also willing to bid for a
tender.
Terms of Payment: If the Order is given to you, An upfront
payment/mobilization fee of 80% (T/T) will be made to your NOMINATED
BANK account to start production immediately after signing of ORIGINAL
CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH THE AUTHORITY, while the remaining 20% will be
paid before shipment down to TEMA HARBOR SEAPORT-ACCRA GHANA.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED Send to us your current products price
quotations and specification of your products.
GENERAL TERMS:
Companies must submit with their bid the latest
specification/QUOTATION of the Equipment or Products they propose to
furnish.
This Projects is for companies who are very ready to apply for Tender
bids and have understanding the meaning of bidding for tender.
BEAR IN MIND: interested company shall do official Tender registration
of their company with the Authority (African Union procurement
Authority) as a foreign bidder/supplier for their legitimate
participation for the bid.
I am African Union procurement Authority agent.
Waiting for your quick response.
Regards
Mr.John Barason
email:(mr.johnbarason@hotmail.com)
Plot # 234 Residential Area, Link Road
Accra -Ghana.
PH:+233544954744.
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Anti-fraud resources:
