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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "info_atmdepartment20@yahoo.co.in" (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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- info_atmdepartment20@yahoo.co.in (Yahoo, India; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Official Transfer <barrjohn_iloson@yahoo.ie>
Reply-To: info_atmdepartment20@yahoo.co.in
Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:20:29 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Details About Your ATM CARD Payment!!!
Attention:
I am very very sorry for all the inconvenience you might have, go through regarding this fund transfer, Now I have make a better arrangement with our head office Bank of African (A.B) To move this fund to foreign payment coordinator to handle this transfer through ATM CARD.You are advice to contact our Head office with the bellow information.
Here is the details
E-mail:info_atmdepartment20@yahoo.co.in
Phone:+229-97615755
Name: George Washington
Ask them to direct you were to locate the bank and also were you can get your ATM CARD over there in your country.
Here is the needed informations they need from you for you to receive your ATM CARD immediately.
(1) YOUR FULL NAME ..................
(2) YOUR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS...........
(3) YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS..................
(4) YOUR PHONE AND FAX NUMBER................
(5) YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS..................
(6) YOUR OCCUPATION........................
(7) YOUR OFFICIAL AGE......................
(8) YOUR PHOTOGRAPH ................
(9) YOUR COUNTRY...........................
However, Kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your ATM CARD.
Regard,
Mrs. Sandra Synder
Bank Of Africa ATM Center.
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