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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:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- drwilfredcampbell@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "World Bank Group. London U.K" <info@worldbank.co.uk>
Reply-To: <drwilfredcampbell@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:33:57 +0200
Subject: Re: Your Personal Identification Number is 2911
Attention: Beneficiary,
Carefully read this email and facilitate immediately for the proper endorsement and release of your fund to you.
I am Mr.Ian Ranking Bill and Exchange Manager,Head of the World Bank Finance Group and Interpol London Branch, set up to fight against Scam,Financial Crimes and Fraudulent activities worldwide.
This Group is responsible for investigating the legitimacy of unpaid contract, inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and directs the paying authorities (Fiduciary Agents) worldwide to make immediate payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay.
You are being legally contacted regarding the release of your long awaited fund. After a detailed review of your file, the World Bank Group has mandated that your fund should be release immediately today.
This is to officially inform you that an ATM CARD worth (Four Million and Three Hundred United States Dollars) ($4.3MILLION USD) has been accredited in your favour.Your Personal Identification Number is 2911.
Please immediately contact our appointed Fiduciary Agent below for the release of your ATM CARD.
Name:Dr.Wilfred Campbell
Company:Global Financier Ltd
Email: drwilfredcampbell@yahoo.co.jp
You are advised to Please re-confirm to us the following details in as to respond to your email urgently:
FULL NAME:
COUNTRY:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
AGE:
TELEPHONE:
DIRECT CELL NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
SEX/GENDER:
PASSPORT COPY:
Your Personal Identification Number:
As soon as we reconfirm this details from you today then we shall proceed with the final release of your Atm Master Card to you as the benefactor.
We await your urgent response in as to carry out our services to you adequately in a timely manner without any further delay.
Thanks for Your Cooperation.
Mr.Ian Ranking
(Bill and Exchange Manager)
World Bank Group. London U.K
Note: Quote Your Personal Identification Number is 2911 on your response to the Fiduciary Agent
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Anti-fraud resources:
