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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:
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
- +447035962374 (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.
- angela.johnson.j@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: UNITED NATIONS DEBT RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE <ecowasfundmonitoringunit.monit@gmail.com>
Reply-To: angela.johnson.j@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 20 May 2012 01:17:25 +0100
Subject: Dear Beneficiary,
*Dear Beneficiary,
*
*We are pleased to inform you that we are United Nations Debt
Reconciliation Committee newly set up by The United Nations based on series
of petitions we received from International Bodies on the inability of some
Government of different countries in the World especially from Africa,
Commercial banks and World Lottery Organization to settle their clients
Contract debt, Inheritance Fund and Winning prize fund all beneficiary will
be paid $7.5million*
* *
*After an extensive close door meeting it was resolved and agreed upon that
this body-UNITED NATIONS DEBT RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE will work
extensively to ensure that all outstanding Contract Payment, Inheritance
and Lottery Winning prize fund will be paid without any hitch and delay.*
* *
* *
*Fund will be retrieved to treasury after ten (10) business days of this
notice.*
*Urgently furnish this Office with your contact information to enable us
open up communication with you regarding the payment of your fund. You are
advised to contact the under named Director of the committee via this email
address :(angela.johnson.j@hotmail.com ) or telephone number
+44-70359623743 for further details.*
* *
*Yours Faithfully,*
*Mrs. Angela Johnson
*
*Director United Nations Debt Reconciliation Committee*
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Anti-fraud resources:
