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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:
- ",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 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: "Financial Intelligence Centre Act" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <international@astb-online.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 00:40:58 +0100
Subject: Payment Notice
Financial Intelligence Centre Act
1 Crown Square
Woking
GU21 6HR
01483 728588
Attn:
Due to your long over-due payment which you have been finding it difficult to receive We have arranged your payment through International Wire Transfer,this is part of an instruction passed by the United Nations in respect to all over delayed payment.
Your total funds of $2,000,000.00 has been deposited in an Escrow account with the Bank. Most importantly you are advised to send your full data to them which includes:
Your Full Name:
Contact Address:
Occupation:
Cell/Mobile Number:
Any Means of Identification (Driven Lincence or Passport)
To effect the Wire transfer from the paying bank, you are therefore advice to contact the AGRO SUNTRUST BANK Plc London. With the below contact details
Contact Person: Mr Anthony Gibbs
Director of International Funds Transfer Department.
Agro Suntrust Bank Plc London.
Contact Email: international@astb-online.com
Direct Office Line: +447418339399
Thanks for your co-operation.
Best Regards,
William Hudly
Financial Intelligence Centre Act
1 Crown Square
Woking
GU21 6HR
01483 728588
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Anti-fraud resources:
