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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:
- "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 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.
- dr.helenclark0014@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "VISA CARD PAYMENT" <info@cox.net>
Reply-To: dr.helenclark0014@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 12:45:08 -0500 (COT)
Subject: ATM-2911 CARD PAYMENT
Dear Visa/ATM Card Beneficiaries,
This is to inform you after much deliberation on your countless efforts to
get your payment without success and with regard to your dealings with
impostors. I wish to inform that a resolution has been reached by members
of the
payment committee to get your funds cleared and delivered to your home
address within a period of 72 hours solemnly agreed by Board of Trustee of
the United Nations World Re-compensation Commission (U.N.W.R.C). A VISA
GOLD
CARD containing the sum of Four Million Eight Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars ($4,800,000.00USD) will be issued in your Favor. Send your
response to: dr.helenclark0014@hotmail.com
Secondly, as a result of widespread fraud over the internet and to avoid
abuse of the program we will provide you details of the VISA GOLD CARD
upon your response. Please we will like you to confirm the following
information.
*Your Full Name: (No Abbreviation Please)
*Current Residential Address:
*Direct Contact Telephone Number:
*Fax:
*Driver License or Passport:
*ID No: (optional)
Upon receipt of the above we will furnish you on how to receive your
payment within the next 72 hours.
Yours Sincerely,
John Murray (Mrs.)
Payment Coordinator
U.N.C.C Regional office
West Africa Payment Outlet
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Anti-fraud resources:
