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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:
- "your loan " (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- 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.
- +447035909633 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "CAPITAL ONE BANK" <mrskarenwashington@capitalonebank.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: mrskarenwashington@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:36:46 -0000 (GMT)
Subject: WE CAN GIVE YOU LOAN IN 48HRS
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Dear Customer
We know you are into a lucrative business and you need
money to finance your business we are ready to help you.
We can give you loan within 48hrs of application.
If you are interested forward the details below
Personal information
Full Name,
Date of birth,
Mother's maiden name,
E-mail address
Phone number
Copy ofdriver's licenseor int' passport.)
Marital status
Number of dependants
Employment / income information
Fair housinginformation (if applicable)
Amount of Loan needed
Bank account informationwere the loan will be transferred
As soon as we get your response with the information above
your loan will be process within 48hrs.
Notice: We also do Saturday banking.
Regards
Mrs. Karen Washington
Capital One Bank LoanOfficer
Tel: + 44 (703) 590 9633
Fax: + 44 (700) 607 9379
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Anti-fraud resources:
