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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:
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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: "MR. ALEX IKOKU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Newtonmark@gazeta.pl>
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2012 06:18:40 -0700
Subject: Your Certified bank Draft A Token of My Appreciation
My Dear Good Friend,
Please Contact Mr. Mark Edward for your certified bank draft, so i advice you open and read the attachment for details on how to cliam your bank draft.
CONTACT: Mr. Mark Edward
Email: markedward0045@poczta.pl
Mobile Phone: +2348124439885
Yours Sincerely
Mr. Alex Ikoku
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The information contained in this communication and attachment is confidential and is for the use of the intended recipient only. Any disclosure, copying or distribution of this communication without the sender’s consent is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this communication entirely without using, retaining, or disclosing any of its contents. This communication is for information purposes only and shall not be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer or an acceptance or a confirmation of any contract or transaction. All data or other information contained herein are not warranted to be complete and accurate and are subject to change without notice. Any comments or statements made herein do not necessarily reflect those of Cathay Insurance Company Limited or any of its affiliates. Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be virus-free. The recipient is responsible for ensuring that this communication is virus free and the sender accepts no liability for any damages caused by virus transmitted by this communication.
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