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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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: "Mrs. Karen Wayse" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <enquiries@facebookonlineaward.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:57:05 -1200
Subject: FACEBOOK 2010 AWARD CONFIRMATION NOTICE
FACEBOOK 2010 AWARD CONFIRMATION NOTICE
We are glad to inform you that your E-mail address appeared on Facebook.com 2010 E-MAIL AWARD as the confirmed Winner of our last Facebook.com Email award program held on the 27th August 2010 in United Kingdom (London).Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 20675543256-786 with Serial number 3765-75 drew lucky numbers 7-12-18-24-32-45, which consequently won in the 2nd category. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum payment of (£1,000,000.00).
Note that all claims must be processed not later than 5th September 2010. You are advice to channel your response to our head office at enquiries@facebookonlineaward.com
Karen Wayse.
Award co-coordinator.
Office Tel:+44700-580-2966
Direct: +44-770-002-2131
Fax:+44 (0)207 657 3320
enquiries@facebookonlineaward.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
