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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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 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.
- ikobo.unscheme@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Erica Paulo" <info@web.com>
Reply-To: ikobo.unscheme@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 02:29:42 -0300
Subject: Award Notification
Good Day,
This is to officially inform you that (ATM Card Number 5951390123652671)
has been accredited with your favor as regards Your payment from the 2015
UN / Ecowas online funds Donation Program, have been deposited into an
ikobo visa card and is available for delivery to your destination. Your
Personal Identification Number is 1822.The ikobo VISA CARD is $315,810.00
USD (Three Hundred And Fifteen Thousand Eight Hundred And Ten USD) and
please note that no deduction of any fee is allowed because your
$315,810.00 USD (Three Hundred And Fifteen Thousand Eight Hundred And Ten
USD) was receive from the United Nation in BOND and it has been duly
insured, based on our policies and as a result of the space of time
available, you are hereby advised to act fast so we can proceed with the
delivery immediately to your door step .
Below is the confirmation of our clients who have received their ATM CARD
via FAIR WAY COURIER SERVICES.
You are advised to contact us with your missing information which aim your
delivery
* Full Name:
* Address where you want them to send your ATM/Cash Card to::
* Sex:
* Age:
* Occupation:
* Phone Number:
* Country of Residence:
* Send photo for Identification:
CONGRATULATIONS
Funds Remittance Department
Mrs. Erica Paulo
Email: [ikobo.unscheme@gmail.com]
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Anti-fraud resources:
