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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "atmdepartmentatmdepartmenta@yahoo.co.uk" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" 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.
- atmdepartmentatmdepartmenta@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrchris Ibota <mrchrisibota@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2012 09:34:08 +0100 (BST)
Subject: payment $3.5 USD Million
Dear ;
The Minister of Finance have approved
the release of your payment $3.5 USD Million to your name. But with
instruction that your payment be transferred to the beneficiary (you)
through online banking to your account.
Based on this approval issued today by
the Honorable Minister of Finance Benin on your payment, we have
consulted our affiliate bank (Sahel-Sahara Bank(BSIC). " today and the
bank had accepted to open online account for you for immediate transfer
of your fund into your account.
We have forwarded all your information
to our affiliated bank (Sahel-Sahara Bank(BSIC). for immediate opening
of the online account in your name today.
The bank director had assured us that
your ATM CARD will no more be valid as it has been approved to wired to
you via On-line Wire Transfer.
Therefore we need confirmation by
reconfirming your name and your current address to enable us forward
it to the Bank , to begin the proceed of your payment immediately.
( atmdepartmentatmdepartmenta@yahoo.co.uk )
Once more, Congratulation
Yours in service.
Dr Adamu Bello
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Anti-fraud resources:
