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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:
- "million us 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Martin Ravallon <carlo.gre@alice.it>
Reply-To: martinrav57@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2017 03:46:35 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Your atm card confiscated couple of years ago -- has been released
Your transaction atm card which was confiscated couple of years ago by the US Authority has been released to World Bank Group Auditors.The total sum of the USD$1,950,000.00 Million US Dollars with accrued interest recovered from the atm card has been deposited in our temporary reserved bank account here in Washington DC Bank. We have been directed to contact you, if you are still alive please indicate by forwarding your current address details only and telephone number.We will start a new arrangement on how to release the fund to you immediately you indicate interest to claim the fund .We can make online wire transfer and send your withdrawal ATM if you wish.
Please reconfirm your information on this official email to enable us attend to your payment urgently Email: worldbnkwashingtondc@financier.comMartin ravallonWorld Bank Group,Washington DC.
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Anti-fraud resources:
