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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:
- "service 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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "ikobo inc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ikobopay_department@w.cn>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:31:07 -0000
Subject: DELIVERY
Our reference: IKB/NG/M2F09
Your Ref:
iKobo is a company that specializes in money transfers. With them, you can send money to any country with your Visa or MasterCard. The recipient receives the transfer put on a card Visa debit card that can be used worldwide at ATMs to withdraw cash. This debit card, which is reusable, is sent to the recipient.
As part of our expansion pack and advocacy for fiscal year 2010, we are pleased to inform you that your email was selected to receive grants this year from the $ 2.8 million U.S. dollars. This funding would be made available to through iKobo Visa card.
We have concluded plans to deliver this letter to you as soon as possible.
Your code is M2F09 delivery
You must send the following information:
FULL NAME:
Place of delivery:
PHONE NUMBER:
COUNTRY:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS:
SEX:
AGE:
Note also that is immediately to pay the service fees of U.S. $ 120 so that the card will be delivered to you as soon as payment is made will be given a tracking number so you can monitor and track the status of their delivery.
We hope to hear from you soon.
© Copyright 2001-2010 iKobo Inc.
https: / / www.ikobo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
