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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "foreign payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "creditcardunionn.g@gmail.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- creditcardunionn.g@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev. Pastor Jame Smith" <info@creditcardunion.com>
Reply-To: creditcardunionn.g@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2011 07:41:10 -0400
Subject: COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT
OFFICE OF THE SENATE HOUSE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT
(RESOLUTION PANEL ON CONTRACT PAYMENT)
IKOYI-LAGOS NIGERIA
Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STB
Your Ref:
This to acknowledge you that your e-mail address was found among the list of
foreigner that have to be Compensated by Nigerian GOVERNMENT.
It might interest you to know that we have signed an agreement with the UNITED
NATION,UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT during our first meeting this year with our
PRESIDENT Commander In-Chief Federal Republic of Nigeria, JONATHAN GOODLUCK
and the FBI to fight against this and to return all contract funds that has
been stolen and people who has been scammed too.A total sum of ($6.8MILLIONUSD)
united state dollars has been set aside for compensation which will be
delivered BY SWFIT ATM CARD to your door step by an accredited Royal Mail
courier Company.
This is to officially inform you that (ATM Card Number 4539797802143027) has
been accredited with your favor.Your Personal Identification Number is
822.The ATM Card Value is($6.8MILLIONUSD). You are advised to
contact:
Rev. Pastor Jame Smith
Email: creditcardunionn.g@gmail.com
with the following information's
FULL NAME:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
COUNTRY:
OCCUPATION:
SEX:
AGE:
Zip code.:
Any form of identification of yourself:
Note that every beneficiary will be responsible for shipping fees which cannot
be deducted from the SWFIT ATM CARD because there is a bond holding the
consignment that stated that only the sole beneficiary of the SWIFT ATM CARD
is permitted to open it after it has been sealed by the foreign payment
department.
KINDEST REGARDS,
Rev. Pastor Jame Smith
OFFICE OF THE SENATE HOUSE.
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Anti-fraud resources:
