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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:
- "clearance fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- 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.
- skybankng2014@yandex.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "George .F. Moore" <dks@a3mail.nl>
Reply-To: <skybankng2014@yandex.ru>
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:57:45 -0700
Subject: Wells Fargo Bank
Attn.
I am Mr. George .F. Moore (I.M.F/World Bank Auditor) I went as directed
by the World Bank to make your funds US$550,000. transfer to your banks
account provided below within 14 hours. And this account below was
provided by your sister mrs.Sarah Rapson. based on the ground that you
sent him as your next of kin.
Wells Fargo Bank
BANK ADDRESS: 101 19th Ave Sw, Willmar,
Minnesota 56201 USA
NAME ON ACCOUNT: Sarah Rapson
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1173428747
ROUTING NUMBER: 099000319 7
We need confirmation from you to proceed with the wire transfer fees of
US$290only via money gram today. Please call Mr.Peter Obih with below
information for more details on your funds transfer as you send him your
correct bank account details and your direct phone numbers at once
today.
1.Your billing address.......................................
2.Your direct phone number...............................
3.Your passport copies............................................
4.Your occupation...................................................
5.Your age.......................................................
6.Your funds clearance fee ($290 dollars
only)..................................
7.Your full bank details................................
Call Mr.Mr.Peter Obih as soon as you have gone through this email its
very urgent in the next 24 hours to rectify your bank account details.
MR.PETER OBIH
Email:skybankng2014@yandex.ru
Telex Department
Regards,
George .F. Moore
I.M.F/World Bank Auditor
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Anti-fraud resources:
