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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:
- 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.
- mr.rexmartin@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "The Intercontinental Bank Plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.rexmartin@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2010 17:22:28 -0700
Subject: ATM Payment notification
Payment notification.
We hereby officially notify you about the present arrangement to pay you your over due e funds which you did not complete the process of the released of your transfer through the Digitalized Payment System.
therefore we would like you to supply the following information: to ATM UNIT to enable us proceed.
Contact the ATM CARD department
Mr Rex Martin
Email to contact: mr.rexmartin@gmail.com
Complete Name:
Delivery Address (PO Box) not accepted by delivery company:
Phone Number(s) – {Mobile}
Gender:
Date of Birth:
Marital Status:
Occupation:
Yours truly,
Regards,
Dr. Ovieigho Johnson
The Intercontinental Bank Plc
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Anti-fraud resources:
