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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Abu Toro <abutoro1@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: Abu Toro <abutoro@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:50:51 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: YOUR COMPENSATION
Dear Sir/Madam,
I wish to inform you that (Federal Government of Nigeria/Central bank CBN)
Has finally concluded to compensate all foreign beneficiary with US$ 1.3m
one million three hundred thousand united state dollar for your
contract/Inheritance fund, you should confirm your postal address to
officer in-charge of the payment via the information below in SKY BANK PLC
so that the bank can send the check/ATM Visa card through courier
service to you. The Government did this out of sympathy for your past
efforts and all the money you have paid to different banks and crooks here
in Nigeria and I hope you will be satisfied with the compensation.
Name: Wakama Adudu
Email: skyecustomers_online@live.com
Phone: +234 811-355-258
I will advise you to contact the officer immediately through his
information: for the delivery of the International Cashier Bank Draft/ATM
VISA CARD. I hope you alright with the token of
compensation for your efforts.
Sincerely
Mr. Abu Toro.
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Anti-fraud resources:
