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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:
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: OFFSHORE SERVICES CENTRE <hetzax@verizon.net>
Reply-To: offshoreservices1@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:16:34 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Notification Of Your Fund
FROM: OFFSHORE SERVICES CENTRE
LONDON, UK.
Notification Of Your Fund
Sir/Madam,
Your application file was sent to the fraud unit for investigation due to your inability to claim your fund. I have recalled the file back today from the fraud unit after due consideration of the executive council meeting to withdraw some of the outstanding payment cases.
In accordance with our new payment program, a second chance has been given to you to make claim of your over due payment. We have sent a payment instruction to our paying bank to advice you and effect payment to you through their banking facility.
On confirmation of this email I will advice you with the bank's contact details and contact person. Your immediate attention to this matter will be highly appreciate.
Looking forward to hearing from you soonest.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Richard Rowlee.
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Anti-fraud resources:
