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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- 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: "Dr. Charles Adams" <hsbcbankremittancedepttg@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2015 03:02:27 -0800
Subject: W/U AND MONEY GRAM CONTACT YOU FOR THE CLAIM OF YOUR FUNDS
ATTN PLS
How are you doing today and hope you get my message in good faith? I am Dr.
Charles Adams from HSBC bank, funds remittance department in Western Union.
And i am contacting you regards to the claim of your funds $ 1.2 Million
Usd
The Togolese government as giving full authority of those who their funds
was confiscate and among all the names that was release for the funds to be
release to your name is finds among it that is why i decide to contact you
so that i can help to get your money successful to you
My dear friend i want you to send me 5 to 10 names that you would like to
receive money with so that i can send make the transfer to the names bit by
bit and send you the information for pick up. As you are sending the names,
i also want you to send me your personal phone number for easy
communication and send me your international passport or driver license and
your destination to receive money
immediately this information is receive, i will get back to you with the
transfer details for pick up, and every money will be transfer to you bit
by bit until the $1.2 Million Usd is fully transferred, i am doing this for
you because i no you will compensate me hugely when you fully receive the
money
Regards
Dr. Charles Adams
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Anti-fraud resources:
