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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:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "REMITTANCE CENTER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <remitcenter@syxy.com>
Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 07:54:44 +0100
Subject: ~~ Debit 422 ~~
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
MINISTRY OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM & CIVIL SERVICE,
Our Ref: ATM/13470/IDR
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
A Debit card worth $750,000.00 have been accredited in your favor.This debit card can be accessible at any part of the world?if still interested in claiming this fund,You are to contact Emma wright for claim authentication to enable delivery of your debit card.
Emma Wright
Email : remittance@mindy.cn
NAME:...........................................
ADDRESS:.....................................
MOBILE/PHONE NUMBER:..............
MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION:...........
As soon as you contact the above claim agent with parcel authentication details we shall immediately proceed with the delivery of your card.We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Please Note:You will be required to pay for Cross Border fee ( Brokerage fees) of $50.00 USD.for your parcel to get to your location without delay by any custom post within the next 48hrs.kindly Disregard this E-mail if not interested
Kindest Regards,
Samantha Goud.
Funds Remittance Department
Director Of Foreign Operations.
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Anti-fraud resources:
