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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:
- "atm payment department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- ",000,000" (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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "UBA CASH CARD 8009427" <info@uba.com>
Reply-To: dr.perrycole@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:31:20 +0800
Subject: OurRef: FGN /SNT/STB
OFFICE OF THE SENATE HOUSE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT
(RESOLUTION PANEL ON CONTRACT PAYMENT)
IKOYI-LAGOS NIGERIA
OurRef: FGN /SNT/STB
This is to officially inform you that (ATM Cash Card Number
2805120033800XXXXX) has been accredited with your favor.Your Cash Card
Personal Identification Number is 8009XXX.The ATM Card Value is $1,000,000,00
Million USD. you are to produce the below information and email it to the
Executive Secretary with the email as stated below.
Dr. Perry Cole
Email: dr.perrycole@hotmail.com
Phone: +234 705 917 9202
Provide underlisted detail to the claim department Dr. Perry Cole on the
email contact address stated above for the immediare delivery of your fund to
your destination within the next 24hrs.
Full Name:
Delivery Address:
Phone Number:
Country:
Occupation:
Sex:
Age:
On behalf of the Board kindly, accept our warmest congratulations
Kindest Regards.
(Sen. Lawrence Nwaeze)
Director Information Department,
ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT.
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Anti-fraud resources:
