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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- greenpt17@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mathew Bowen <nknwabia@gmail.com>
Reply-To: greenpt17@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2021 12:12:03 +0100
Subject: Compliment of the day my dear
From the Desk of
Mr. Mathew Bowen
Compliment of the day my dear,
We write to inform you that your ACCUMULATION COVID-19 RELIEF FUND
valued US$1.5M (One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars) has been scheduled and
will be release to you after due process. It is also important to note
that from our records that you are required to confirm your
information to the accredited office African Union Payment Clearing
Center for verification and authenticity of the formal information.
The United Nations in collaboration with African Union Payment
Clearing Center has been instructed to use the approved Foreign
Exchange Allocation Order (FEAO) to
clear all outstanding payment with immediate effect, with the help of
our Payment Officer Mr. Peter Green. It's more legalized manner and
approved by the United
Nations, for you to communicate with African Union Payment Clearing
Center in the person of Mr. Green to ensure your payment file is
process in accordance with the specified instructions from the United
Nations.
You are hereby advice to contact the Mr. Peter Green for final
processing and release your payment.
Contact Person: Mr. Peter Green
E-mail: greenpt17@gmail.com
Phone number: 00229-99273182
You will either receive your funds through Swift Transfer, Certified
International Bank Draft Cheque Or ATM Master Card. Be inform that any
option you choose has an
official charge to process your transfer.
Below are the given options to choose:
(1) Swift Transfer: Minimum of 5 business days
(2) ATM Master Card: 7days
(3) Certified Bank Draft / Cheque 7days
NOTE: The Official Charge can't be deduct from the principal amount
due to the Irrevocable Insurance Policy (IIP) associated with your
fund from International Monitory
Fund Unit (IMF).
This is subject you can discuss with Mr. Peter Green by quoting the
following reference to him (UN-AU33NO22/019). To this end, we urge you
to establish contact with Mr. Green to make necessary arrangements for
the payment of your funds.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Mathew Bowen
UN Information Officer
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Anti-fraud resources:
