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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Eugene Gallo <rev.eugenebale1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: groupservice06@qatar.io
Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 11:17:21 +0100
Subject: Your Payment via Visa Card
Dear Friend,
How are you doing today ? This is to notify you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from THAILAND though i tried my best to involve you in the businnes but God decided the whole situations. Presently i'm in THAILAND for investment projects with my own share of the total sum.
However,i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how.$2.5 million USD has been loaded on a ATM VISA CARD already on your name and it's under the Custody of Fedex International Delivery in Cotonou Benin Rep. However you should contact the Fedx Office immediately with your delivery information to enable them stamp the package for immediately shipment to you.
SEND THE BELOW INFORMATION TO THE FEDEX AFFICIAL.
YOUR FULL NAME::::
HOME ADDRESS::::::
DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER:::
COUNTRY::::::
A CUPE OF YOUR PASSPORT:::
CONTACT PERSON
DR. JIM PETERT FEDEX OFFICIAL DIRECTOR
Email:::groupservice06@qatar.io
Telephone:: (+229) 980 77 414
Fax::: 210 14 688
NOTE YOU WILL ONLY SEND THEM $105 WHICH WILL STAND FOR CUSTOM STAMP FEE AS THEY STATED ALL OTHER CHARGES HAS BEEN PAID.ALSO ASK THE FEDX OFFICAIL TO DIRECT YOU TO MR.FEDNARD EZE FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE PIN NUMBER OF THE CARD WHICH WILL UNABLE YOU TO ACCESS IT ON ANY OF YOUR ATM MACHINE.I HAVE LEFT INSTRUCTION TO HIM SO THE FEDX OFFICIAL WILL GAVE YOU HIS CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE PIN NUMBER.
Regard
Barrister
Eugene Gallo
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Anti-fraud resources:
