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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:
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE" <info@usa.org>
Reply-To: dmo.managementnig2016@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2016 06:20:52 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Urgent Delivery
Please note that as per the Instructions from Mr.President of The Federal
Republic of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry Of Finance to our
Consolidated Oil Reserve Account Holders in the United States Wells Fargo
Bank Head Office we have on Monday 1st February 2016 taken delivery of
your uploaded Inter Switch ATM Master/Verve Card valued the sum of
US$3.5Million as uploaded by our bankers Well Fargo Bank in your name and
favor as the funds Beneficiary your Wells Fargo Bank duly issued ATM Card
awaiting urgent delivery to your mailing address in your Country through
the Office of the Director General Of The Debt Management Office
DR.Abraham Edo.also note that we have entered into an agreement with FedEx
courier company only for your delivery at the agreed low rate sum of
US$195 ONLY.
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Anti-fraud resources:
