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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:
- "00,000.00" (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 free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- lacy.jones@mail.ru (Mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Jones" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lacyjonesk@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2018 01:02:51 -0000
Subject: ATTN: Fund Activation
Attn: Beneficiary
An ATM has been programmed in your name as a beneficiary of the overdue fund amounting to $900,000.00 This is an agreement with the new IMF policy .
This avenue has been programmed by the IMF to cushy the undue pain you have been facing over the release of your overdue fund.
The Access to the ATM and its activation code deliver to your via Courier and the activation code will only be giving to you via PHONE. On receipt of this card, the approved payee bank credit your account with 48 hours to any account you will be providing.
You are to forward the following immediately for programming.
Name
Address
Age
Country
Telephone
Fax
Send the information to the below person in charge.
Nane: Lacy Jones
Email. lacy.jones@mail.ru
If you are interested, kindly get back to me as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully
Stephen James
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Anti-fraud resources:
