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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "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)
- "tumusiime_tumusi@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "Prof. Emmanuel TUMUSIIME MUTEBILE" <gayfleming2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: tumusiime_tumusi@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2021 12:58:21 -0800
Subject: Central Bank of Uganda
Central Bank of Uganda
Plot 17/19 Kampala Road, Kampala
Hello,
This short notice is to inform you that your consignment box is now
under the custody of Central bank of Uganda.(BOU) This is because the
duration of the consignment box has caused a huge demurral fee.
This notice was placed under the care of Mr. Michael Atingi-Ego and
we're undermine to inform you that your funds will be reschedule to
you by choosing any of the following methods for receipt of the sum of
$57.5m USD (Fifty Seven Million, Five Hundred thousand United States
Dollars.) to your care.
Please choose one of the following options below on how you'll like to
receive your funds.
i. By Bank transfer
ii. Through Western Union or Money Gram transfer
iii. Atm card special pack.
Please note that all this three methods are involved with cost and
they're specially redefined and convenient for standard receipt to
your perusal. Please reply to my personal email:
tumusiime_tumusi@outlook.com
Your prompt and urgent response is needed as soon as possible.
Best regards
Prof. Emmanuel TUMUSIIME MUTEBILE
Tel: +256740727924
Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Uganda
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Anti-fraud resources:
