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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:
- "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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr X" <info@usa.org>
Reply-To: gregoryhayes1018@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2018 07:30:48 -0800
Subject: Money Gram Global Money Transfer Service.
Attention
Following the instruction to pay all scam victims the sum of $5.5 Million Dollar each as approved by the UN through Money Gram Global Money Transfer Services, We wish to inform you that your email address was among one of the privileged ones that are qualified to receive this prize. You will be receiving the sum of $5000 on two day basis until the whole amount assigned to you has been transferred to you completely.
Today your first transfer of $5000 has been sent but to ensure that there are no mistakes, the reference information cannot be forwarded until we re confirm the following recipients information:
1. Name
2. Address
3. Phone
4. Occupation
5. Age
The above information should be directed to your transfer agent on reply with this secret transaction code: MGP2XD
Note: Your Transfer file will expire after the next 3 days if there is no response from you and then we will not have any option than to return your fund to UN as unclaimed.
Your swift response will enhance our service,
Thanks for your co operation,
Regards, Money Gram Global Money Transfer Service.
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Anti-fraud resources:
