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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr Micheal Mawiz <info@undp.com>
Reply-To: Dr.MichealMawiz@outlook.com
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2017 17:27:05 +0100
Subject: ***SPAM*** YOUR APPROVAL IS READY
--
Following the receipt of an approval document forwarded to our
office
from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to effect an immediate
payment of $2.1million USD (Two Million One Hundred Thousand
United States Dollars)to you and five other beneficiaries.
You are the only one left to be paid hence we are contacting you
to get back to us on or before the 15th of June 2017 to have
your payment of $2.1million released through any preferred options
listed below.
These options include :
1. Online Payment Service
2. Mobile Payment Service
3. Official delivery of Bank draft to your door step.
Note that Your funds are protected by a hardcover insurance policy.
You are to make your preferred choice from the three options
above.
Be informed that a UN Certified Lawyer has been designated to
oversess that you do not face any delays
nor difficulty whatsoever from your bank or any related institition
Upon your response to this email, we shall forward your form
acceptance form, Declaration Confirmation and
your approval certificate for your endorsement/signature to enable
your immediate payment release.
We anticipate your prompt response.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr Micheal Mawiz
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Anti-fraud resources:
