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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:
- "cost of transfer" (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. )
- "you are required to pay " (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. )
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "William Denurr" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <foreign.payments@onet.eu>
Date: Sun, 20 May 2018 19:26:42 -0400
Subject: YOUR INHERITANCE PAYMENT
YOUR US$6.2M INHERITANCE PAYMENT IS BY CASH SYSTEM
We at the International Monetary Fund have taken it upon ourselves to finally address the constrains or bottle-necks we encounter at transferring your fund by bank-transfer we have resolved at exclusive meeting held to deliver the total sum (US$6.2M) to you in cash.
I wish to inform you that all necessary modalities have been put in place to conclude your payment without further delays and the fund shall be dispatched through the Diplomatic Courier by Express Cargo Flight to your country or close country to you as soon as we receive the information required.
Note: This policy of cash payment is the idea and directives of Board of the International Monetary Fund. This cash payment-policy eliminate payment (C.O.T) cost of transfer but you are required to pay charges cost as will be demanded by the customs in your country port .
Attend to the information below:-
1. Send your address and direct telephone numbers.
2. send copies of your official identity card or passport.
3. The airport closest to you to route your money.
Thanks
Signed:
William Denurr
Senior Resident Representative
www.imf.org/external/country/nga/rr/index.htm
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Anti-fraud resources:
