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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:
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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 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.
- +447024069622 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr. Chris Martins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chris.martin@volny.cz>
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 01:21:53 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION.
This is to officially inform you that your name has been shortlisted to recieve your Visa Electron Credit Card which has been loaded with three hundred thousand united states dollars in your favour as part payment for your delayed Orange Telecoms lottery draw payment of $4million.
This payment system is set up to replace initial funds transfer by telegraphic wire transfer into your account.
To enable our despatch officer deliver your atm card which is acceptable in all automatic teller machine (atm) system in your country.For proper verification and delivery of your atm card, you are advised to complete this questionaire and return for the printing and despatch of your atm card.Your pin code will only be delivered separately for security reasons.You are advised to call me black prince: elephone number +447024069622 for further instruction.
Full Name................
Delivery Address.........
Country..................
Occupation...............
Phone Number.............
Fax Number...............
Age......................
sex......................
NOTE:
You are also required to send along a means of Identification which can be a scan copy of your Driver's License or International Passport for identification on delivery.
Regards
Mr.Chris Martins
London England.
Telephone:+447024069622
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Anti-fraud resources:
