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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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- 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: "Mr. Tony O. Elumelu" <infojr@tim.it>
Reply-To: mrtonyelumelu101@outlook.com
Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2017 08:03:06 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Attention
Attention:
This is to notify you that directive comes from United Nations & International Monetary Funds(IMF) that Fourteen Million,Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars has been approved for immediate payment to you as soon as possible.Your payment will be sent to you through a diplomatic means and every funds have been converted into an ATM master card issued by United Bank For Africa Plc Nigeria.
Therefore,the diplomat has left the shore of Nigeria and will get to the states later today and i will want you to make sure you get him contacted with the data below;
Name: Mr John AlabaEmail:j.abala2017@yahoo.comPhone:650-761-2872
As soon as you get him contacted,you are to get back to me based on what you discussed with him okay.I will be waiting for your response back as soon as possible.Note that i will want you to know that should there be any help he might need,you are to make sure you assist him in sorting it out so that your delivery can be made in good faith.
Regards,
Mr. Tony O. ElumeluChairman of the Board of United Bank For Africa PlcPhone:+2348171145190
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Anti-fraud resources:
