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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:
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "00,000.00" (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 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.
- griffithmorgan@sify.com (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Committee On Foreign Payment <info@atm.com>
Reply-To: griffithmorgan@sify.com
Date: Sun, 09 May 2010 02:09:25 -0500
Subject: YOUR REF: CLAIMS/UK/ATM/4378/10
OUR REF: FPC/ATM/4378
YOUR REF: CLAIMS/UK/ATM/4378/10
This is to officially inform you that (ATM Card Number 048500101775550) has
been accredited in your favor. ATM Card Value is £500,000.00 GBP (Five Hundred
Thousand,Great British Pounds). With Personal Identification Number is 4378.
This is in bid to compensate you as you are next on our Disbursement file for
the beginning of the First quarter of the fiscal year 2010.
We apologize, for the delays of your payment and all the
inconveniences that we
might have indulged you through. From the records of outstanding
contractors due for
payment.
We therefore want you to receive these funds as you are qualified by your name
and identity but we need to cross reference your datas with our data
base to be
sure that you are the rightful beneficiary of this Disbursement
All Legal proceedings will be processed as soon as we hear from you with the
below for
verification and claims;
Full Name...........
Delivery Address....
Country.............
Occupation..........
Tel / Fax...........
Age.................
sex.................
Forward the above details to the desk of the verification officer;
Mr.Griffith
Morgan
via Email: (griffithmorgan@sify.com)
Also; a scanned means of identification is necessary; Drivers License /
International Passport.
Regards,
Committee On Foreign Payment
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Anti-fraud resources:
