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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:
- "from the desk of" (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. )
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "ATM Payment Dept" <M@cotton.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: <mounir.gwarzo@vp.pl>
Date: Mon, 8 May 2017 04:06:15 +0100
Subject: Did authorize Mr David Thompson to claim your ATM on your behalf?
FACT FINDING COMMITTEE
57 MARINA STREET LAGOS NIGERIA
FROM THE DESK OF MD/CEO
RESCUETEAM OF UBA
Attention Honorable Beneficiary,
Please be informed that we have just received Mr David Thompson who is said he is your family Lawyer from United States Of America this morning in our head office in Lagos Nigeria. For the payment a rescue team has been formed.
He made a requested that you directed him to pick up your VISA CARD Issued by UBA BANK NIGERIA PLC with the PIN CODE for full ACTIVATION immediately.
As soon as we get confirmations from you the VISA CARD will be activated and handed over to him with the PIN CODE. He has also confirm you gave him the activation fee of $375 dollars to pay.
If the claim of Mr. David Thompson is false would you forward your details for the delivery of the VISA CARD to you as stated bellow:
1) Full name to appear on the envelope for delivery
2) Address for Delivery
3) Phone, fax and mobile phone line
NOTE: THE VISA CARD HAS YOUR APPROVED PAYMENT OF US$7.5MILLION LOADED INTO IT AS PART PAYMENT/COMPENSATION.
If you have any objection do immediate E-mail me Waiting to hear from you immediately.
Yours Faithfully,
UBA YOUR GLOBAL BANK
MR MOUNIR QWARZO
CHAIRMAN RESCUE TEAM
INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
UBA GROUP PLC
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Anti-fraud resources:
