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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "activation 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. )
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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: "file.fcle" <file.fcle@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "file.fcle" <accsplcbk@qq.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2015 06:23:07 +0900 (JST)
Subject: FUNDS....Deadline
Dear Friend,
How are you today and your family? I hope all is well?
I have been waiting for you to contact us regarding your PAYMENT but you have not respond. I wish to let you know because your file payment ACCOUNT is about to disconnect left only 3-days deadline which only opportunity you have.
We have told to disconnect it by board director so what are you saying? You should get back to us now against deadline as to enable us meet up OK because the charges which was initially on the high price has been cut down by the payout bank considering the poor economic situations that make it difficult for the middle class citizens to meet up with the processing charges of their entitlement, now all you need to pay is $99.00 to re-activate your file then your funds will be transferred..
Based on report, we will not keep waiting because the deadline is 3-days and only opportunity you have.
Please don't forget to include yours Banking Details where you want the Funds USD$1.920,000.00 to be transferred and Then contact us as soon as you ready to send the activation fee $99.00.
We urgently need to meet up your transfer deadline in 3-days.
I am waiting please confirm your account information now because it's against us to deduct it.
Bank Name:-- ---------------------
Bank Address:-- ----------
Account Number:--------
Account Name:--- -----
Telephone number:--------
Routing Number:-- -------
Best Regards
Mr.Jack William.. Tel:+2348167148894
Access Bank Plc Managing Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
