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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- revjerry_m@yahoo.com.au (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Linda obi <theprestige10@alice.it>
Reply-To: revjerry_m@yahoo.com.au
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2014 15:13:51 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Very urgent pls read
This is very difficult for you to understand becuse you have been long time
waiting for your ATM CARD, but right now things are really work out to your
expectation, so you have to understand that your file has gotten to to this
office ATM Swift Card and already finalize all the necessary arrangement,
beside most original Card for presently is ATM MASTER CARD and is being sent
from Africa is 95% while visa card is 55%.
Office of ATM Swift Card department wants you to understand that everything
is
in order (ECO-WAS HIGH COURT WEST AFRICA) Decided to pay you via ATM MASTER
CARD which worth sum of $2.5 USD
To enable us cover the insurance coverage please include copy of your
identity,
for proper reprogramming and activation of your Card pin number to enable you
have access of withdraw once you cash up your ATM MASTER CARD to avoid further
delay.
You are advice to include these following below:
You’re name
You’re country
You’re home address
You’re Tel phone number
You’re office phone number
You’re current occupation
Thanks for you co-operation:
Rev.Jerry mark
E-mail :(revjerry_m@yahoo.com.au)
Phone no: +229 68450-493
Quickly contact him for more advice.
Regards Mrs. Linda obi
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Anti-fraud resources:
