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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:
- "tax clearance" (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 ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
- "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)
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "cashier's check" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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.
- +447031978920 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- michaelgoodmans@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- michaelgoodmans01@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MasterCard Mega Jackpot Promotion" <info@MasterCard.co.uk>
Reply-To: <michaelgoodmans@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 09:25:59 -0600
Subject: !!! MasterCard<AE> / Microsoft<AE> Congratulate You !!!
MasterCard International Mega Jackpot
Microsoft Inc. (Co-Sponsors)
London, Liaison Office,
Director Mr. James B. Lakers Sr.
PHONE: +447031978920
PHONE: +447031926786
FAX: +447031913791
REGISTRATION NO: 9027640
INSURANCE NO: MSTC006
TAX CLEARANCE NO: 28456
AMOUNT WON: Ј6,600,000.00
your e-mail address was selected and confirmed by our co-sponsor Microsoft
International, through their latest internet software. You are therefore
been approved by MasterCard Int. United Kingdom the sum(SIX MILLION, SIX
HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS) CREDIT CARD With winning Reg. No. MCIMJ: 5148/4178.
Equivalent to 13,800,602.21 USD. (Thirteen Million, Eight Hundred $ Sixty
Two US Dollars). In cash, Credited to a valid cashier's check, With winning
Reg. No. MCIMJ: 5148/4178. Be informed that your prize has been insured and
ready for pay out.
Claims Requirements:
1.FullName:......2.Address:.......3. Nationality:.......4.Age:........Date
of Birth:.......5. Occupation:........Nature Of Work.......6.
Phone:......Fax:.......7. State of Origin:.......Country:..........8.
Delivery Options:
MasterCard® / Microsoft® Claims Administrator Contact Details Below:
Name: Mr. Michael Goodmans
E-mail: michaelgoodmans@hotmail.com
E-mail: michaelgoodmans01@hotmail.com
Contact the Claims Administrator with all your claims requirements well
filled. Your claims Administrator will give you all the guide lines on how
to process your claims.
Secretary
Anderson Abigail L @
MasterCard® / Microsoft® Mega Jackpot.
Anti-fraud resources:
