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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 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)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- 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.
- ipbnddisc@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms. Linda Adam" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ipbnddisc@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 02:38:03 -0700
Subject: Please contact: Dr. Salah Hussain.
Good Day.
I have been trying to reach you, while I was going through some outstanding unpaid / unclaimed payment general file we have discovered USD$7.8 Million Dollars issued in your name for some weeks now.
If I may ask why you did refused to claim it or are you not aware that you have some amount of money here belonging to you. I will advice you to Contact International Payment Bureau immediately in the next 72hrs with the following information below:
Your full Name:
Your Address:
Tel/Cell Phone:
Occupation:
Sex:
Please contact: Dr. Salah Hussain
Payment Release Department
International Payment Bureau
Email: ipbnddisc@yahoo.co.jp
Phone: +44 7856050040
I am waiting to hear from you, if you are the correct owner of this email address.
Yours Truly
Ms. Linda Adam
The Secretary
International Payment Bureau.
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Anti-fraud resources:
