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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:
- "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. )
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447087627050 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: mr.andrew white <mr.andrewwhite_uu77@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:16:33 +0000
Subject: GOOD NEWS.
ATTN:SIR/MEDAN
GOOD NEWS.
WE HAD MEETING TODAY IS ALREADY 22TH OF AUGUST 2016 AND AFTER A SERIOUS AND LENGTHY MEETING TODAY HELD BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON YOUR BEHALF IT WAS DECIDED IN YOUR OWN FAVOR AND BEST INTEREST TO REDUCE THE PAYMENT FOR THE CERTIFICATE TO $75 SO THAT YOU CAN MEET UP WITH THE PAYMENT PLEASE YOU ARE GIVEN ONLY 24HOURS TO DO THIS PAYMENT SO WE CAN RELEASE YOUR $15.5M US IN OUR CARE SO WE ADVICE YOU TO PAY THE $75 THROUGH MONEY GRAM TO THE BELOW INFORMATION AND SEND THE PAYMENT DETAILS TO ME TODAY.
Below is the information:
Receivers Name:Nwaeze Faith Obi
Text question: Very
Text answer; Lucky
Amount:$75
Destination: Lagos / Nigeria
Senders name:
Senders address:
M.t.c.n number:
PLEASE GO AND SEND IT IMMEDIATELY AND SEND TO ME THE PAYMENT DETAILS IMMEDIATELY.
I KNOW YOU MUST HAVE SEVERAL EMAILS LIKE THIS DO NOT WORRY MY GOVERNMENT WILL SOON FISH THEM OUT WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU AS OUR WORD IS OUR BOND TO YOU.
CONFIRM THE RECEIPT OF THIS E-MAIL BY YOU IMMEDIATELY AND BE REST ASSURED THAT YOU WILL BE SMILING TO YOUR BANK ONCE YOU COMPLY WITH THE ABOVE DIRECTIVES NOW.
Waiting for the payment details today.
Your faithfully,
HONORABLE MR ANDREW WHITE
DIRECTOR; IMF World Regulatory Office
Telephone Number +44-708-762-7050
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Anti-fraud resources:
