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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:
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 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.
- info_unionbank0002@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: UNION BANK PLC <luis-gray@bol.com.br>
Reply-To: info_unionbank0002@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2011 14:31:23 +0530
Subject: DID YOU RECEIVE MESSAGE FROM OUR OFFICE TODAY?
UNION BANK PLC
36 Marina, Lagos Nigeria
Phone: +234-813-916616
Fax:.+234-813-916600
Email:(info_unionbank0002@yahoo.com)
Attn:
This is to inform you that we have been instructed by the foreign remittance
department of this bank to effect the immediate release of your over due payment
sum of ($1.1Million USD) you should stop every communication with any imposter
who claim to be your representative or attorney. Because one Mrs, Monica Johnson
came to my office today with a letter claiming to be your representative sent by
you, Please do confirm to this office as a matter of urgency if this woman is
from you so that we will not be held responsible for wrongful payment or
unlawful diversion of your fund,
You have to reconfirm to us your Direct Telephone number.../Current Location
Address...for an easy communication in this matter on how to move your fund.
This will also enable us to commence the immediate release of your fund.
We are sorry for the delay.
Regard's
Luis Gray
Director Economic and social Development
Union Bank Plc.
Copyright@ 2011 Union Bank Of Nigeria' PLC .
==============================================================
CONFIDENTIAL FROM Union BANK' PLC .
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed..
Dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or the information herein
by anyone other than the intended recipient, or an employee or agent Responsible
for delivering the message to the intended
recipient is Prohibited.
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This mail sent through CJOnline WebMail
http://www.cjnet4u.com/webmail/
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Anti-fraud resources:
