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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- 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.
- +447031935581 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- nokia2010promo1@safe-mail.net (Safe-mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Nokia Corporations" <info@nokiapromo.co.uk>
Reply-To: nokia2010promo@katamail.com
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:22:48 -0400
Subject: Nokia 2010 Cash Splash
You or someone entered your information for an opportunity to participate
at the 2010 Nokia Cash Splash for poverty Alleviation and we are using
this medium to officially notify you that you have been nominated for the
grant, We are happy to inform you that you have just won 500,000 Pounds at
this grant/Award 2010 and your reference code is NK-0145-6701-E-100-124.
Please take note of your reference code as it will be needed for
verification.
Your prize money has been processed as bank draft (Cheque No: 1/33 968773)
of 500,000.00. We will forward it to you via courier along with a Nokia
E-series Phone, Nokia E-63. Please get back to us with your verification
form send to nokia2010promo1@safe-mail.net
VERIFICATION AND FUND RELEASE FORM
Full Name:........
Address:..........
Age:..............
Gender:..............
Occupation:..........
Phone:...............
Because of numerous fraudulent schemes going around the internet,
confidentiality should be accorded at all times. You are expected to keep
the news of your winning and your reference code to yourself until your
funds hit your account. This is to avoid false claims and abuse of the
program.
Congratulations!!!
Edward Jones
Chief Financial Officer
Nokia Corporation
Tel: +447031935581
Web: http://www.nokia.com
Copyright © 2010 Nokia Corporation. All rights reserved
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Anti-fraud resources:
