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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:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "atm_department111@zbavitu.net" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Pastor Chris Pam" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atm_department111@zbavitu.net>
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 20:58:12 +0100
Subject: YOUR ATM MASTER CARD IS READY FOR DELIVERY: VERY URGENT
OCEANIC INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC
PLOT 134, VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS NIGERIA
TEL… +2348051493055/ FAX …. 2348060712356
CUSTOMER CARE SERVICE ….. TEL….+2347098700948
EMAIL ==== atm_department111@zbavitu.net
We are very sorry to get back to you very late. ATM MASTER CARD of US$2.8Million is ready only your Delivery fee$135 is needed urgently and please for your information only $5000 daily is permitted for cash withdraw.
Your First Payment has been recieved and Your Insurance papers has been secured in your favour only your Delivery charges is awaiting. Do not delay to responds immediately with your Contact Details
Quickly reconfirm your Receiving Address/ Full Names and phone Number.
God Bless
Pastor Chris Pam
Oceanic Bank Plc,
ATM DEPARTEMENT.
Tel.. +2348060100760
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Anti-fraud resources:
