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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- accesscare@mail.md (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Service <service@arcemus.com>
Reply-To: accesscare@mail.md
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:06:52 -0500
Subject: Final Transfer of your Fund.
Dear Valued Beneficiary
We wish to inform you that the board of trustees and management of Access Bank Plc has finalized and have being given an Immediate transfer order by CBN in conjunction with the United Nations and Senate Foreign payment resolution committee, to transfer your Inheritance fund to you, the approved sum of US$2.500,000,00(Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) by this following means of choice below for your own security reasons.
By Bank to Bank Wire Transfer
By ATM Debit Card
The management & board of trustees of this bank wish you to furnish to us out with your contact details and your direct phone number for the immediate processing of the transfer document that will enable us carry out the transfer of your fund successfully to your nominated bank account or your contact address without any further delay.
We await your immediate response with your information to enable us proceed immediately with the process of transferring your fund and serve you better .
Signed,
Mrs. Ruth O John
Secretary General
Email: accesscare@mail.md
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Anti-fraud resources:
