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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:
- "from: the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "lagos" (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.
- +2348035478068 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "ME.BEN OBI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atmcardpayment22.dept@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:16:46 -0700
Subject: YOUR URGENLTY RESPONSE IS IMMEDIATE NEEDED
CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS
3 Akin Adesola Street
Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria
From: The Desk of
Mr. Ben Obi
ATM CARD payment department
Contract Payment Notification
I am Mr. Ben Obi the Newly Appointed ATM CARD Director
Skye Bank of Nigeria.We are still in the receipt of your payment.
Today i received two outstanding documents from different offices regards to your inheritance contract fund awarded by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
I have with me in my office an approval from the Federal Ministry of Finance,this office had approved your payment for an immediate transfer of your fund of U$D 1,000,000 Million.
I also have a certificate of order from the office of the President instructing your payment via an ATM CARD delivery.
Meanwhile,we are still in the process of preparing your ATM CARD with the magnitude of the amount (U$D One Million) which will be ready in the next 24hours.
As soon as your CARD is ready i will proceed to the courier delivery company for an immediate delivery of your CARD to your doorstep so that you can start making use of your ATM CARD.I will get back to you as soon as your CARD is ready.
You are to send your informaton to me immediately
Your full name .......................................
Direct phone number ...........................
Residential address.............................
Country .............................................
Occupation .....................................
Age ................................................
I await your urgent reply and call me on my phone number +234803 547 8068
Mr. Ben
ATM CARD Director
Skye Bank of Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
