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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: "iKobo Inc." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ikobogrants@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:38:59 +0100
Subject: DELIVERY
OUR REF: IKB/NG/M2F01
YOUR REF:
As part of iKobo Inc's expansion and promotional package for the fiscal
year 2008, We are pleased to inform you that your parcel containing the
sum of $2.8 Million US dollars which has been made available to you through an iKobo Visa card in now on the way to the post authority in your
country. Upon delivery, you are required to proceed to your nearest post office to pick up your funds.
Being the beneficiary of this grant you are to provide a valid ID to enable the post office release your card to you.
The details on how you are to activate your card and start withdrawals are included in the package that would be given to you.
You can track the current status via the website:
www.iship.com
TRACKING NUMBER:EC932373096US
Please you are to send us your delivery details which would be needed at
the pickup location:
FULL NAME:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
SEX:
AGE:
You are also to immediately refund the delivery charges of US$120 immediately so as to avoid cancellation of the delivery.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best Regards
Mr. Robert Parker
www.ikobo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
