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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:
- "million united states dollars" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: United Bank For Africa <uba_inquiries@zbavitu.net>
Reply-To: uba-inquiries@zbavitu.net
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 02:43:28 +0200
Subject: Re; Reply Immediately
Pay Urgent Attention,
We wish to inform you that after due consultation and meeting with United
Nations representatives and German Ambassador to Republic of Benin Dr. E.
Wienand, USA Ambassador Mr. Michael Raynor and President of this
Country, It was
agreed that all the inheritance/compensation funds been delayed for one reason
or the other should be paid via an ATM VISA CARD. This should be send to the
owners which his/her payment happens to be among the listed beneficiary to be
paid through this payment system. If you are indeed the owner of this e-mail
address kindly write us back to enable us proceed with the processing of your
ATM VISA CARD payment worth of $8.5 Million United States Dollars only.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. George E. Anderson
United Bank For Africa Plc (UBA)
Executive Director Foreign Operations,
Corporate & International Banking.
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Anti-fraud resources:
