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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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "abuja" (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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "DR.JOE KOON" <chris.mark36@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: joe.koon@ymail.com
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:06:37 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: RE: INHERITANCE FUND TRANSFER NOTIFICATION
PHASE II, GARKI
FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY
ABUJA-NIGERIA
REF: -0XX2/987
Attn:
RE: INHERITANCE FUND TRANSFER NOTIFICATION
This is to confirm were you stated that you did not send any body to come and claim your fund, now you have made us to understand that you did not sent Mrs. TINA RAY we will hand her over to the authority.
Note that she actually tendered some vital document which proved that you actually sent her for the collection of these funds. Below is the list of the documents which she tendered to bank:
1. letter of administration.
2. High court injunction.
3. Order to release.
Due to the nature of my job, i cannot afford to make any mistake in releasing these funds to anyone except you who is the recognized true beneficiary to these funds. Note that i asked her to come back next week so i can verify this fact from you first.
You are advice to come to Nigeria to claim your card and sign all the necessary document that legalize you as the rightfully beneficiary of the fund, we are not asking you to pay any money if only you can come to the country and sign all the document and pick your CARD with you.
Finally you are worn not to send any money to any body that claim he will send to you your card
You are advice not to reply any email that did not come from me
We are waiting to hear from you
REGARDS,
DR. JOE KOON
DIRECTOR ATM PAYMENT DEPT.
TEL: +234-8166291202
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Anti-fraud resources:
