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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:
- "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)
- "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. )
- "consult-atmbj@ufo.tc" (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: "Mr Frank Akims" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <f.akims@btinternet.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:50:42 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY...
ATTENTION BENEFICIARY,
We the managemnet and board of directors of Bank Of Africa wishes to use this opportunity to let you know that due to your inability or delay on the delivering of your CASHIER CHEQUE that worths $1,200,000.00 USD has been converted into an ATM MASTER Card which you can withdraw in any ATM Cash Point Machine of your choise Worldwide.
Note that this Bank has package Your ATM MASTER CARD with a secret code and registered it with an ATM presidency company in Benin Republic which you can be withdrawing the sum of $9000.00 USD everyday. Therefore, quickly contact the ATM company Benin Republic with this bellow information:
Director : Mr.Ofor Balanji
Email address : consult-atmbj@ufo.tc
Phone : (+229)98246485
Registration Number : wwdsc/xxx/100
Secondly, bear it in mind that the only money you have to send to the ATM company to deliver your ATM MASTER CARD to your house address is only $95 USD according to the director of the issuing bank for a smooth delivery of your ATM MASTER CARD to your door step.
Finally, make sure that you recomfirm your contact address to them to avoid delivering your ATM MASTER CARD to the wrong person and also do not be deceive by anybody to pay any other money except $95 which is the delivery fee of your ATM MASTER CARD.
Yours faithfully.
Frank Akims
Remittance Director
Bank Of Africa
Benin Republic
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Anti-fraud resources:
