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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:
- "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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
- +447031981663 (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.
- infohsbcbanking@sify.com (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Godwin Bike <godwinbikeo10@msn.com>
Reply-To: <godwinbike@sify.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:32:59 +0000
Subject: ATM MasterCard on Your Name
ATM MasterCard on Your Name
Dear Beneficiary,
Please be informing that a solution on how you will receive your money has been made and now an ATM master card valid $1.500,000.00 (One Million, Five Hundred Thousand dollars only) has been activated on your name as the beneficiary by HSBC Bank management in London. This ATM Card was activated to your country standard which will enable you withdraw your money in any ATM working machine in your country.
Now, you have to stop any communication you are having with anybody regarding to your payment because your money is now in HSBC Bank London.
Mr. Robert H Penman the Director ATM Activation Department HSBC Bank is in charge of this cash card payment and he will release your card as soon as you contact him with below information.
Contact person: Mr. Robert H Penman
His Office Email: infohsbcbanking@sify.com
Office Phone: +44-703-198-1663
Send all your contact information to him so that he will parcel your ATM Card and ship it to you immediately.
Get back to me as soon as you contact him and let me know when you have received your ATM card.
Best regards
Mr. Godwin Bike
Director International Monetary Unit
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Anti-fraud resources:
