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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "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.
- 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: Access bank Nig Plc <infotec597@gmail.com>
Reply-To: infoonline12345@yahoo.in
Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2017 03:07:19 -0800
Subject: Your Urgent Attention Needed Immediately
Greeting,
How are you today? Compliment of the day.
This is to notify you that we have program to pay you your outstanding
payment through our online banking services with Access Bank plc Here in
Nigeria. We shall open a new online account for you here which will cost
you $120 only.
Please do remember that your fund Five Million Five Hundred Thousand
United States Dollars ($ 5.5 million) has over due to pay out with your
interest so please if this new development is okay by you then get back to
us immediately for proceedings
As we are going to effect your online banking service through Access bank
plc. Immediately.
Yours Faithfully.
Furthermore, below is the information you will use to send the
requested $120 today via Western Union or Money Gram International as
described below:-
Receiver's Name:- HUMFREY CHIMA
Destination:- Lagos Nigeria
No Text Question and Answer
Amount; $120 only.
1.Full Name
2.Mobile Telephone number,
3.Age
4.contact address/Country
5.occupation
PLEASE REPLY VIA EMAIL
DR.JOHN ADAMS
Remittance / Foreign Operation Manager
Access Bank plc
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Anti-fraud resources:
