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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- email.atmverification16667@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- information below as soon as possible via email.atmverification16667@yahoo.com.hk remember that the house of senate has paid for your (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: THE HOUSE OF SENATE <info@atm.com>
Reply-To: atmverificationcenter16667@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:15:40 +0200
Subject: ATM/2009/FUNDS
--
THE HOUSE OF SENATE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON FUNDS
Our Ref: ATM/2009/FUNDS
Dear Beneficiaries
This is to officially inform you that ATM Card Number 4278763100030014 has
been
accredited with your favor.Your Personal Identification Number is 1789 &
Your
International Consignment delivery number is (FM0022704) The ATM Card
Values is
$6.8 MILLION USD."Note" You are advice to contact our affiliate FedEx
courier company
with the information below as soon as possible via
email.atmverification16667@yahoo.com.hk
Remember that the house of senate has paid for your Security fee.The only
fees you have
to pay to the FedEx courier company is the delivery fee of $75.00, FedEx
courier company.
Contact Person:George Maison
Email:atmverification16667@yahoo.com.hk
FULL NAME:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
COUNTRY:
AGE:
OCCUPATION:
The FedEx courier company demands that u pay the fee before the ATM card is
sent to you,please make haste so you can get your ATM delivered to you as
soon as possible.
Good reception & Best Regards
SEN.DAVID MARK
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Anti-fraud resources:
