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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:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Eben Johnson." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <inheritancedpt111@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 02:04:18 -1200
Subject: RE: ATM CARD PAYMENT
PAYMENT PROCESSING CENTER
Head International Banking Division
PCFPT/035/ZL08/2010/p
RE: ATM CARD PAYMENT
On behalf of this Board and administration, After a systematic assessment
of your bequest fund by our Board of Evaluation in
Union with the World Bank Auditor General including the assessment report,
we have a directive to pay with indication to your file.
Below are the details of your card:
CARD TYPE: Inter-Switched ATM Card motorized by VISA Card International
extraction LIMIT: $5,000 Per day CARD VALUE: (Five Million United State
Dollars Only) Operation Limit: free to transact at any ATM Cash point as
well change the pin code on receipt.
Meanwhile to aid the Release of your ATM Card, we shall focus on the
irreversible agreement order from the Presidency alongside with
Sampling copy of your ATM Card for indication and authentication of your
ATM Card disbursement by the Presidential commission overseas deal.
Endeavour to substantiate me with your information
Full Name:
Address:
Phone Number: (Home and mobile)
Fax: (Optional)
Next of Kin:
A scanned copy of your passport/driver’s license (for proper identification)
I anticipate your instantaneous answer.
Yours Sincerely
Mr. Eben Johnson
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Anti-fraud resources:
