|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "required fee " (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. )
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Payment Office <christjohn730@gmail.com>
Reply-To: paymentoffice901@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2022 06:57:51 -0800
Subject: IMPORTANT TRANSFER NOTICE
Dear Beneficiary!
Breaking News, This is to inform you that the higher authorities that
is in-charge of international transaction has this morning declared
that you will receive your SD$1.6 Million ( One Million Six Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars) through ATM Card Only as new Year
compensation for your past effort here in Nigeria. So the arrangement
has been made this morning and the Federal High Court Of Justice has
signed your New Year compensation Transfer Papers and the only money
you will pay is $129USD for the signing of it which means your ATM
card transfer will start this morning.
Note that the daily transfer of your fund in ATM card is $10,000.00
twice per day until your total $1.6Million( One Million Six Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars) is completely transferred to you from
this ATM card Office, be rest assured and guarantee that your first
payment of the $10,000.00 will be release for the immediate for pick
up your ATM card by I.M.F United State of America tomorrow morning
once we confirm the sum of $129USD from you which is to enable us have
your Tax Clearance Certificate that was expired renewed from the
office of international monetary Fund (I.M.F) as it was approved and
programmed by the Federal Ministry of Finance Nigeria that you should
pay only $129USD for the renewal of your Tax Clearance Certificate.
Finally; you are hereby advice to try as much as you can to raise this
fee of $129USD and have it send immediately iTunes Gift card
Your urgent response is await along with the payment details of this
required $129USD to enable us complete with this transaction as it was
approved and programmed for the immediate release of your ATM card
your first payment $10,000.00 will be under 1 hour and 30 minutes that
the required fee has been confirmed by the (I.M.F) Finally you are
advise to stop emailing any office or department here in Nigeria until
you receive your full compensation from us, this is for security
reason.
We are looking forward to hear from you with the payment information.
Thanks and remain bless
Yours in service
Mr. Frank Robert
Payment office Nigeria
|
Anti-fraud resources:
