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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:
- "dear friend" (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "worldwidedeliveryco1011@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Williams Scot" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <scott.williams23@btinternet.com>
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 07:48:14 -0700
Subject: URGENT MESSAGE FROM YOUR FRIEND WILLIAM SCOTT ABOUT THE FUNDS OK,
Dear Friend ,
I write to inform you that i have already Paid fee for your
ATM card this week 23/05/2010 2:30 Pm afternoon because the manager of Eco Bank Benin told me that before the check will get to you it will expire. So I told him to make Cheque Draft 900,000.00, to ATM Card and all the necessary arrangement of delivering of the ATM Card was made with World Wild Delivery Company Benin . Here is the contact of the World Wild Delivery Company bellow.
Mr. Edward .H
Email :worldwidedeliveryco1011@live.com
Please send them your contacts information to enable them
locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your ATM Card. The information they need from in order to delivery your ATM Card to your
address.
*1.YOUR FULL NAME--
*2.YOUR HOME ADDRESS --
*3 YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER--
*4.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE--
*5.A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT-----
*6 YOUR COUNTRY-------
Please make sure you send this needed info to the
Director general World Wild Delivery Company in Benin Mr. Edward .H. With the address given to you. Note. That you should not delay to contact the company .i am waiting for your urgent response.
Best regards
Williams Scot
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