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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "account opening" (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. )
- "million 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 remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "account opening form" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- ubaremittancegroup@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: ff mm <ffmma0179@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2022 11:37:01 +0800
Subject: UBA BANK PLC
UBA Bank Plc.
Good Day to you!
I am MR.ASARE DANIEL OF UBA BANK PLC ACCRA - GHANA,Chairman of foreign
Remittance Department.
It may interest you to know that reports have reached our office by so many
correspondences on the uneasy way which people like you are treated by
Various security company and Courier Companies/ Diplomat across Africa and
we have decided to put a stop to that and that is why I was appointed to
handle all foreign beneficiary's FUNDS and your transfer transaction here
in ACCRA - GHANA HEAD OFFICE, by the United Nations.
In respect to your unpaid payment of Three Hundred and Five Million
Dollars. All Non-Governmental prostates, NGOs Banks, Security Companies
which have been in contact with you of late have been instructed to back up
from your transaction and you have been advised NOT to respond to them
anymore since the IMF with UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. Is now directly in
charge of your FUND. Which is pending in our ( ESCROW ACCOUNT).
You are hereby requested to respond to this email urgently for our bank to
forward you the New account opening FORM which you will be required to fill
and forward back to our bank to enable our bank open an ATM account in your
name to enable you access the funds with your ATM VISA MASTER CARD.
As soon as we receive a response from you,the account will be opened and
your FUNDS will be transferred to you within 9 working days.
.Reply to: ubaremittancegroup@hotmail.com
Daniel Asare.
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Anti-fraud resources:
