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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:
- "% 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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Viconus Biz" <consulado@embacuba.net.ni>
Reply-To: workmailboxoffice@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 02 Feb 2020 12:32:21 -0800
Subject: PRODUCTS/SERVICES NEEDED FOR PROJECTS 2020
Sir/Madam.
We received an order to source for quality products and services to be sup=
plied to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the 2020 Procurement Project=
s.We request that you send your products price list for huge purchase consi=
deration. =
Note that Payment is 80% Advance And 20% Before Shipment.You are to includ=
e my 2% commission to the total contract sum, if we are lucky to secure the=
tender bidding contract awarded to your company, i will be receiving my 2=
% commission payment from your company after you have received 100% payment=
from the buyer =
(Federal Government of Nigeria).
Regards,
Victor Onuchukwu.
Viconus Biz Trading Company Ltd( VBTCL)
Suite E02 Broadway Plaza,
Fagba b/stop Iju-Agege Road, =
Lagos Agege Lagos 23401 Nigeria.
=20
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Anti-fraud resources:
