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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:
- "courier service" (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 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: "IKOBO & LEXUS CORPORATION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ikgclaim@8.am>
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:22:02 -0800
Subject: RE: VISA CARD IKG/2900
Our Ref: IKG/NG/ICON
Your Ref:
This is to officially inform you that an Ikobo visa card have been accredited in your favor. Your Personal Identification Number is 2900.The
Visa Card Value with $2.5 MILLION USD. To file for your claim please contact the delivery agency If you are interested in claiming your prize,
please contact the Visa card dispatch center via email (ikbclaim@8.am) with the following details
Sir Emma Wright
Office Tel Number: +2348029628009
Contact Email: ikbclaim@8.am
With the following information:
Full Name:
Delivery Address:
Phone Number:
Occupation:
Country:
As soon as we receive the above details we shall immediately proceed with the delivery of your card.We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Note: The delivery of your ATM Card by Scarlet Courier service depends on the terms and Agreement of the delivery firm. This Visa Card unit is not
liable for any damage or your inability to meet with the claims requirement.Please Note that You will be required to pay the sum of only
$120.00 for Brokerage fees cost and once that is done,your visa card will get to your location within the next 24hrs.
Kindest Regards,
Emma Wright.
Funds Remittance Department
www.ikobo.com
Director Of Foreign Operations.
You Can Reach Me On
Phone number: +2348029628009 / 0112348029628009
For Oral conversation.
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Anti-fraud resources:
