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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "account opening" (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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
- 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.
- avacharlot@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: avacharlot@gmail.com
Date: 13 Oct 2020 14:22:21 +0300
Subject: I.M.F Urgent reply needed
First Financial Bank
Online Account Department
Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4 pm
Dear Customer
This is to inform you that we have received an authorization from the
Federal Reserve Bank, to setup an offshore online account on
your behalf, regarding a financial support for this ( COVID 19 ) imposed by( world bank)
this operation is to be carried out by the International Monetary Fund law (Act) section 2 (a) (IMF)
as agreed that the sum of $10,500,000 USD will be transferred to an offshore account that will be opened on your behalf upon our request
you are advice to follow the instruction given to you by first financial bank online to provide the below required information and get back to us immediately so we can proceed with your account opening.
Surname:........
First Name:.......
Other Name:........
E-Mail Address:....
Phone Number:.....
Residential Address:....
Country:...........
State:..............
Date of Birth:.......
Marital Status:.....
Occupation:......
Your working Id Card or Passport
Copy of your passport photograph
Name of Next of kin
We are waiting to hear from you with the complete information to
enable us to proceed with the online account, Be informed that your
account will have checkbooks and ATM debit card and MasterCard once your online account is ready.
Thank you .
Ava Charlotte..
Online Account Director
Yours faithfully,
First Financial Bank.
Email :avacharlot@gmail.com
Tel /Wassp::+447838357712
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