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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 state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- citibnkonline0000@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. David Lipton" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info_imfofice@rayana.ir>
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2018 17:09:37 -0800
Subject: LETTER OF COMPENSATION FUND TRANSFER
( I.M.F ) Head Office
Senior Resident Representative
9 Hon. Justice Mohammed Bello St.
Asokoro Abuja
REF:-XVGNN82010
Email (info_imfofice@rayana.ir)
Tel:+2347030426096
INSTRUCTION TO TRANSFER YOUR APPROVED PENDING FUND.
Attention Beneficiary
This is writing to inform you that after a comprehensive board meeting this morning, it was agreed by IMF board of directors that your legitimate approved compensation fund valued at $2,700,000 (Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) would be transferred to you through ONLINE WIRE TRANSFER. Be informed that an online account will be set up for you with the online details to be sent to you. This will enable you to transfer your fund by your self Via Online into any account of your choice both locally and internationally, you are advised to contact our online transfer department for the online set up of your online account with the above contact information as stated below. BE informed that the transfer charges have been paid by this honorable office of the IMF. all you need do is to contact the paying bank for the set up of your online account.
BANK CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE ONLINE TRANSFER
Bank Name: The Citibank Group
Contact Officer: John C. Gerspach
Phone: +1 (917) 688-4854
Email: citibnkonline0000@yahoo.com
Kindly Re-confirm your details as stated below to enable us to proceed with the next step of the transfer as we anticipate your urgent response.
1.Full Name:
2.Address:
3.Age:
4.Occupation:
5.Phone:
5.Copy of your Identity Card
We wait for your prompt response to enable us to proceed to the next stage of the transfer.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. DAVID LIPTON
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
First Deputy Managing Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
