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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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. )
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "atmdebitcard@mail.ru" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- 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.
- atmdebitcard@mail.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: ATM DEPT CENTRE <www.@sweet.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: ATM DEPT CENTRE <atmdebitcard@mail.ru>
Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2018 20:06:59 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Your ATM Visa Card Delivery
Good day my Friend,
How are you together with your family, I am here to inform you that all the arrangement was done concerning your ATM CARD, there is no problem again but to let you know that our ATM Department Office Benin Republic here are to delivery your ATM VISA CARD with little amount If you are ready to receive your Card that will cost you sum of $150 dollar only. Now I am here to let you know that all your total fund of ($4.5Million United State Dollars) is ready to withdrawal through ATM CARD.
Moreover you know that the activation fee before is $350 dollars everywhere world wide. but the COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND MR.PATRICE TALON PRESIDENT of this country held a meeting with his Cabinet the consultation that the activation of ATM CARD will been $150 dollar only. so if you know that you are ready to receive your ATM CARD contact this email address (atmdebitcard@mail.ru) and ask them where you to send the fee for the activation of your ATM VISA CARD in order to delivery it to your door step immediate.
Remember that as urgent as the ATM CARD delivered to you, every day you will withdrawal $10,000.00 dollars per day until your confirmed the total fund through the ATM VISA CARD Immediate you receive this email you quickly response back for more explanation to enable us proceed the delivery as faster.
BEST REGARDS
MR. MIKE IBE
ATM DEPT CENTRE.
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Anti-fraud resources:
