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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 united states 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Chevron Company" <info@chevron.com>
Reply-To: chevronalerts_claimsdept2010@W.cn
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 08:50:00 +0800
Subject: N/A
THE CHEVRON OIL & GAS COMPANY
1092 Cheron way ZONE 2,
BRANCH OFFICE NIGERIA ABUJA.
You have been selected in the on-going CHEVRON COMPANY award held this
March 2010. We the promo board are pleased to inform you that you
alongside four (4) other lucky winners have been approved for a payment
of USD $1,000,000.00,(One Million United States Dollars) in cash.
Note that this promotion is mainly aimed at alleviating poverty; it is
also aimed at encouraging internet Users worldwide. This email is
randomly sent to five people worldwide. If you did receive this email,
it means you are one of the five(5) lucky winners. Your verification
number is: (FGN/P-900-56).
We are glad to have you as one of our lucky winners
Mr. Dr Peter Zec
EMAIL: chevronalerts_claimsdept2010@W.cn
Phone:+234-08-5200-8770
YOU ARE ADVISE TO SEND HIM THE BELOW LIST
NAME IN FULL:
CONTACT ADDRESS:
AGE:
NATIONALITY:
OCCUPATION:
PHONE:
FAX:
MOBILE:
SEX (M/F):
ANNUAL INCOME:
REMARKS ABOUT CHEVRON/TEXACO:
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Chike Madu.
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Anti-fraud resources:
