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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: DANA PUBLIC RELATIONS. <danarelations@inquiry.com>
Reply-To: <gcole9162@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2019 00:35:24 -1200
Subject: Product Inquiry From Qatar.
Dear Sir/Madam
I wish to inform your esteem company about a tender supply with Project Procurement Division Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs here in Qatar for the supply of various items.
My company is registered by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs as their consultant sourcing agent, we only receive 2% commission from the supply value of the suppliers offer/quotation and this amount is paid to us when the supplier/contractor has receives full payment in their Company Bank account from the Ministry.
You will be required to register your company with the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs as their legal and non residential supplier/contractor in accordance with the provisions of the procurement Act 2015. A comprehensive details on the procedure will be provided to you upon hearing from you.
If your company is interested kindly get back to me for more details about the tender supply project and how to proceed.
I look forward to your urgent response.
Qadir Haddad.
DANA PUBLIC RELATIONS.
249, Al Moujtabah Bldg, Al Hilal, C Ring Rd
Qatar.
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Anti-fraud resources:
