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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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: James Johnson <ugopazzini@tim.it>
Reply-To: sectjohn@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 22 May 2017 11:32:40 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: VERY URGENT
From the desk of:James Johnson
International Settlement Dept.
zenith bank international plc
Attention
Immediate ATM DEBIT Cash Card Payment Notification
We want to confirm this story because we receive a
authorization letter from Mr Jackson Smith stating that you
are dead that before your death you authorize him to claim
your fund of $10.5m which we have already programmed in the
ATM card to be deliver to you but we want to confirm this
story to enable us proceed in
delivery the card to him depending your message.
But if it is false we shall Jail him according to the law
and you are advise to re-confirm the following
information to enable us proceed in delivery the card to you.
1. YOUR MAILLING ADDRESS ==== 2. YOUR MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER==3. YOUR FULL NAME===
As we receive these information we shall proceed in ensure
your pre paid ATM card is Delivere without further delay.
Wait For Your Expedite Response.
Yours In Service,
International Settlement Dept.
zenith bank plc
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Anti-fraud resources:
