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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "atm card department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "million dollars" (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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 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.
- emai.colinmark66@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: colinmark <colinmark66@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 09:23:44 +0400
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY!!!!
central bank of Nigeria has approved an ATM credit CARD
fund for your outstanding payments.of 15$ million dollars.
incorporation with united kingdom international.
which your email was selected through our ballot machine.
We are ATM card department subsidiary with fiduciary right to
provide your ATM fund in agreement with the correspondence bank
under Nigeria banking system.
We have limited information to transfer your fund ATM CARD in
your name presently hence we request that you send
us YOUR COMPLETE VALID details below.
1)NAME-----------------------
2)DATE OF BIRTH---------------
3)PROFESSION/occupation------------
4)home ADDRESS--------------
5)OFFICE ADDRESS------------------
6)PASSPORT NUMBER-----------------
7)DRIVER LICENSE NUMBER---------------
8)BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER__________________
9)phone number_________________________
9)COUNTRY
We shall process the release of your atm card fund in your favor within a day we.
receive all required information since we have already
established confirmations with the custodians of your funds
being the transferring department.
We shall transfer your ATM card fund with the details you forward to us,
ATM CARD FACILITY DEPARTMENT
Mr.Peter W. Ger side
DIRECTOR OF ATM CARD DEPARTMENT
Contact Person+2348122884517
EMAI.COLINMARK66@YAHOO.COM
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Anti-fraud resources:
