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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: holders File <holders21@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: holders1984@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2011 23:56:09 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: ATM CARD PAYMENT SYSTEM
Good Day
This is to inform you that the united state government authorities (USA) in collaboration with the Nigerian government and the Federal Bureau of Investigation,(FBI) has been alleged to monitor all transaction. I am here by instructing you to stop whatever transactions you are having in regards of your fund.
This information is reaching you because from our investigation we discovered you had been involved in a transaction with an internet fraudster.
We are here to inform you that we are presently working on your file and within 48hour your fund ($1.3million) will get to your destination via ATM CARD PAYMENT SYSTEM.
All that is required from you is to send your current home address where your ATM CARD will be delivered and your phone number for effective communication.
Best Regard
Frank Ibo
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Anti-fraud resources:
