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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:
- "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)
- "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.
- 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.
- riksdavvid@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: United Nation Office <bo---office@att.net>
Reply-To: unitednationpayme@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 03:44:52 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Confirm Your ATM Card
Confirm Your ATM
Card
Attention Dear Client:
This
is to inform you that the
United Nation board of directors has now resolved to compensate you with
the sum
of 1.200.000 ( One Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
)as to help the less privileged in your country because of natural
disasters and Global warming that affected some
individuals in your country and you will receive your ATM MASTER CARD
through our agent .
The ATM will be deliver to you
there in your country .all the necessary arrangement has been made to deliver
the $1.200,000.00 to your designated address through our agent In Benin inwhich
your payment will be converted into an ATM master Card..
Contact Our Agent Manager
immediately for the delivery of
your ATM MASTER CARD with the information below
:
1.Your Full Name :
2. Contact address :
3Mobile number to reach you
:
His Contact details below with
this : package NUMBER: DCJKT00523G
Person to Contact: Mr David Ricks.
Tel: +229 97 65 87
48
Email: riksdavvid@gmail.com
Your ATM MASTER CARD Will be
released to you as soon as you have made contact with him. On your Response , we
will forward to you an approval Certificate to you which you will present to
them for claim from our office here in London.
Regards,
Mrs Mark Pepple
For United
Nation
London
UK
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Anti-fraud resources:
