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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS ANN MARY.K" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsannm@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 12:18:27 -0500
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT NOTIFICATION RELEASE IN 2014 BY CBN ( sm code .) 3-3-2014
RE: YOUR PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
From: Mr JAMES DAVID
Executive Payment Officer (UN)
UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION.
.......................................
Attn: Beneficiary
This is officially inform you that we have verified your contract/inheritance fund file in Africa and found out that you have not received your fund/been scammed, please you will receive it through this ATM card,(US$.8000.00) EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS ONLY forward your name, address and Cell Phone Number and ID card or Passport to release your payment.And this is in conjunction with UNITED NATION COMPENSATION PROGRAMMED with (WORLD BANK SWISS)
.............................. .....
PAYMASTER
FROM ATM CENTER
HSBC BANK LONDON
MRS CLARA JUSTINE MAXWELL.
DIRECTORS.
.............................. ................
A COPY TO
Mrs. Marry Ann
Coordinator,
Assistant Payment
Officer (UN) presently in CBN
Nigeria..
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Anti-fraud resources:
