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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:
- "foreign payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS. KATHRYN BENNETT" <fplc379@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "MRS. KATHRYN BENNETT" <kathrynnbennett@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2015 10:29:32 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Reference to your Payment
To Your Attention;
On
behalf of the board and management of Foreign Payment Department, I
Mrs. Kathryn Bennett,the Managing Director of Foreign Payment Department
wishes to inform you that your contractual payment which was suspended
by the Nigerian government is due for Immediate collection.
Be
informed that we have concluded all arrangements to transfer your fund
to your account through Sterling Bank Plc. In line with the binding
contractual payment policies, kindly furnish us with the following as
set forth.
Your complete delivery details where you want the
fund delivered and a copy of your international passport or any other
means of identification as the true Beneficiary .your telephone number.
The Contract Amount is $2.7Million, You shall required securing Fund
Legality Approval before your fund will be release to you.
Immediate response is required.
Best Regards
Mrs. Kathryn Bennett.
Director,
Foreign Payment Department
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Anti-fraud resources:
