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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- 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.
- imfff00@hotmail.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "I.M.F AWARD" <info1@internationalmonetaryfunds.org>
Reply-To: imfff00@hotmail.co.uk
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:36:38 +0800
Subject: URGENT REPLY
Attention,
This is to notify you that the International Monetary Fund (IMF Asia Region)
has approved to settle the outstanding arrears and the long over-due payment
which you have been finding difficult to receive from international bank
transfer. You are required to update this office and reconfirm your full bank
information,contact address and Mobile number for onward transfer.
Below Is the Transfer Details.
Date: 01/12/2012 11:58: 25 Am
Reference No: D3a63-5e02f-885e
Account Code: QW-21905-AZ
Withdrawing Code: **************
From : Corresponded dollars account no: 46587921354
Format: Standard Top World Bank
Issuing Bank: Reserve Bank Of India(RBI)
Current Status: Pending Transfer
Total Amount: $15,000,000.00USD
Currency : USD
Interest: Zero (0.0%).
Contact Email: imfff00@hotmail.co.uk
Upon the receipt of this notification, we would commence with the telegraphic
transfer to your local account
Regards,
+91-916-761-9937 direct line
Dr Michael Wattleworth (IMF India Office)
Christine Lagarde (US Office)
(INTERNATIONAL FUND REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT)
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Anti-fraud resources:
