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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier company" (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.
- 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.
- edward_correspondence.nokia@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Nokia Corporation <aix2000@gci.net>
Reply-To: 2010grant@katamail.com
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:28:20 -0900 (AKST)
Subject: Nokia End Of Year Give Away Prize
You or someone entered your information for an opportunity to
participate at the 2011 Nokia Cash Splash for poverty Alleviation and we
are using this medium to officially notify you that you have been
nominated for the grant, We are happy to inform you that you have just
won 500,000 Pounds at this Grant/Award 2011 and your reference code is
NK-0145-6701-E-100-124. Please take note of your reference code as it
will be needed for verification.
Your prize money has been processed as bank draft (Cheque No: 1/33
968773) of 500,000.00. We shall either forward it to you via courier
company or have our bank transfer the money directly to your account.
Please choose your prefer mode of receiving the award funds, Get back
to us with your verification form send to
edward_correspondence.nokia@hotmail.com
VERIFICATION AND FUND RELEASE FORM
Full Name:........
Address:..........
Age:..............
Occupation:..........
Phone:...............
Congratulations!!!
Edward Jones
Chief Financial Officer
Nokia Corporation
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Anti-fraud resources:
